Biobanking saves lives every day, but it is also an energy-intensive operation that can emit thousands of kilograms of CO2E* per week. As the UK’s ethical tissue bank, Biovault is leading the way in reducing emissions as part of a pledge to Make it Net Zero.
biobank emissions
As the human tissue bank for the NHS South West Peninsula Transplant Service, we know that our service helps to save and enhance lives. But, as honest and ethical individuals, we know that this comes at a cost to the environment and human health.
Biobanking is an energy-intensive operation. High volumes of electricity, dry ice and gas are all required to keep controlled environments running safely and dependably. Together, these can emit thousands of kilograms of CO2 per week.
Biovault also has built-in redundancy for any complications with our power supply. A UPS system, generator supply capability, and liquid gas backups all mean we can guarantee service continuity.
why make it net zero?
Make it Net Zero, powered by SWMAS (South West Manufacturing Advisory Service) is a programme that helps businesses lower emissions by identifying carbon savings and setting actions to bring carbon costs down to net zero goals.
For Biovault, this is a question of ethics. As scientists, we of course recognise the climate emergency and our role in seeking solutions. And as individuals, we want to make a positive contribution to the health of people and the planet.
Make it New Zero identifies three connected benefits that show how doing the right thing also makes good business sense:
Lower energy costs
Stand out from the competition
Implement change ahead of legislation
how we reduced our emissions in 2021
Using the GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Protocol, SWMAS identified direct and indirect emissions sources.
electricity emissions
The greatest saving we could make would be to switch to a green tariff, which we plan to do at the end of our fixed-term contract. In the meantime, we reduced our total electricity consumption emissions by 10.5% by:
Fitting timer controls
Replacing lighting with LED
Replacing ultra-low temperature freezers with modern energy-efficient models
Replacing incubators and fridges with energy-efficient models.
gas emissions
Between 2021 and 2022 we reduced our total gas consumption emissions by 11.1% by:
Reducing thermostatic valve temperatures and switching off radiators in unused spaces
Choosing not to heat our glass-fronted lobby
Reducing water temperature within safe limits
dry ice emissions
Between 2021 and 2022 we reduced our dry ice losses by 23.1% by:
Improving our storage systems
Reducing static losses
Safely increasing dry ice useable shelf life
“The business has made some great initial progress to lower their emissions with
the focus on energy efficiency. ”
next steps to net zero
decarbonisation at source
We can have the largest impact by decarbonising our energy at source. According to SWMAS’s analysis, Switching to a 100% renewable or zero carbon tariff would deliver emission savings of over 32,000 Kg Co2e: 67.5% of our current footprint.
carbon literacy
Learning about emissions, efficiency and impact will help engage and empower our whole team to deliver on our pledge to Make it Net Zero.
We’ll report back next year!
*CO2e = A carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2 equivalent, abbreviated as CO2e is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global-warming potential (GWP), by converting amounts of other gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.