While switching to digital working formats can be harnessed to increase sustainability, the digital world and dry lab work tools can still contribute a huge CO₂ footprint, in terms of energy consumption or minerals needed for equipment production. 

From using power save mode instead of screen savers and sending an email with links to files in clouds instead of attachments, to regular cleaning up of your data and using FAIR data principles, there are many areas where dry labs can smarten up to reduce CO₂ emissions.

• Store files in clouds and send links to shared documents instead of attachments in emails

• Work with your research group and institute to have a smart and clear data management strategy

• Work using FAIR data principles

•Regularly doing clean ups for unnecessary duplicates of data or archiving to cold storage 

• Using newer and smarter algorithms

• Promote good computer use- shutting down, power save mode, not using screen savers, low light setting

• Buy from companies who have clear sustainable manifestos in their production line of equipment

Dry labs