On the 24th of March 2023, the Green Group at the Dunn School had the privilege of hosting an enlightening seminar on environmental sustainability, titled "The Journey towards Net-Zero Science". The seminar was part of our ongoing departmental series, aimed at fostering awareness and action towards a more sustainable future.

The seminar was led by Martin Farley, the Director of Green Lab Associates, and a renowned figure in the field of sustainable laboratory practices. Raised in France and the US, Martin's initial career trajectory was towards becoming a researcher. However, his passion for sustainability led him to become the first full-time sustainable laboratory specialist in the UK and Europe, at the University of Edinburgh.

After moving to London, Martin founded Green Lab Associates and established the sustainable labs program at King's College London, a feat that earned him the Green Gown - Sustainability Professional award. Today, he consults for various institutions, regularly speaking and teaching on the topic of sustainable laboratory practices.

Green Lab Associates, under Martin's leadership, works to improve the efficiency and sustainability of laboratories. Recognizing that laboratories are unique, energy, and resource-intensive environments, the organization provides guidance and advice to ensure these spaces are as sustainable as possible. Their work contributes to cost savings, pollution reduction, and the maximization of research potential.

Martin's contributions to the field have been widely recognized. He is the winner of the EAUC's Sustainability Professional Green Gown award for investigating sample storage temperatures and initiating sustainable lab programs at the University of Edinburgh and King's College London. He has also contributed to the NUS run Green Impacts Labs Tab and written extensively on green lab practices. An IEMA Fellowship was awarded to Martin for his pioneering work in sustainable laboratories in the UK. He is also well-known for the LEAF program, which he created and manages.

The seminar was a resounding success, providing valuable insights into the journey towards net-zero science. Prof Matthew Freeman and Dr Saroj Saurya, who invited Martin Farley for this seminar, expressed their gratitude for his enlightening talk and the positive impact it had on the Dunn School community.