Any Job Can Be A Climate Job Turning Green Labs From Idea Into Practice
Jan 20, 2026
Pam Greenley, a 30-year lab design veteran and industrial hygienist who helped start MIT’s Green Labs program. She recounts launching contest-style resource-saving challenges, building cross-functional teams, and using student-led assessments and metrics to turn sustainability into normal lab practice. Stories include poster parties, fume hood energy savings, and balancing safety with recycling.
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Match Program To Organizational Culture
- MIT's culture shaped the adoption strategy for Green Labs by aligning with competition, data, and innovation.
- Design programs to match organizational motivations to drive voluntary participation.
Program Launched As A Contest
- Pam launched Green Labs as a contest after seeing frequent contests around MIT and an elevator poster ad.
- She structured awards for most resources saved and most innovative idea to tap MIT's competitive spirit.
Quantify Savings In Dollars And CO2
- Use measurable metrics and convert resource savings into dollars and CO2 to prove impact.
- Provide clear quantification so labs can see real emissions and cost reductions.