Victoria Munro, Programme Manager at Oxford BioSystems, has been part of the business for 15 years. With a PhD in Biological Sciences and a career spanning the clinical and life sciences sectors, she brings a clear, evidence-based mindset to her role. Alongside her scientific background, Victoria has a long-standing personal interest in sustainability, making her a natural choice to lead Oxford BioSystems’ focus on carbon reduction.

We caught up with Victoria to learn more about Oxford BioSystems’ journey to becoming carbon neutral, and the practical steps - and challenges - involved along the way.

1. In simple terms, what does it mean for Oxford BioSystems to be a carbon neutral company?

“For us, being carbon neutral means balancing the carbon emissions from our operations, product supply and services with reductions and offsets. It’s about cutting emissions wherever we can and responsibly offsetting the rest, so our overall impact is neutral. It’s a practical way to take responsibility while always looking for ways to improve.”

2. Since when has Oxford BioSystems been carbon neutral, and what motivated the company to begin this sustainability journey?

“We had been conscious of our carbon emissions for quite some time but decided to formally report them in 2022 and received our first carbon neutral certificate in July 2023. We took this step so that we could take meaningful action to reduce our environmental impact and support our customers - many of whom are on the same sustainability journey as us. Having a structured approach has helped us turn awareness into measurable steps, and it’s something the whole team has really embraced.”

3. How does being carbon neutral fit into Oxford BioSystems’ wider approach to environmental responsibility?

“Like many of our customers, we’re working towards a net zero target by 2050, so being carbon neutral is just one step on that longer journey. We review and reduce our emissions every year, and offset what we can’t reduce yet. This approach now influences many of the decisions we make - from our travel and the exhibitions we attend to the materials and waste we produce - so sustainability is becoming part of how we operate day to day.”

4. What were the first steps taken to measure and understand Oxford BioSystems’ carbon footprint?

“One of the first things we did was find the right partner to guide us. We needed someone experienced and certified who could make the process practical rather than overwhelming. After exploring a number of options, we partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain™, who walked us through what needed to be measured, how to report it, and where we could make the most impact. Their support made it much easier to see a clearer path forward.”

5. Which areas of the business had the greatest environmental impact to address early on?

“Travel was an obvious starting point. We support laboratories across the UK and Ireland, which means visiting customers regularly - for account management and technical support, equipment demonstrations and installations. We also attend a number of industry events and exhibitions, which adds to our footprint. Focusing on travel first made sense because it’s something we could actively influence as a team. We looked at ways to combine visits, plan routes more efficiently, and question whether travel was necessary or if a virtual alternative could work. Even small changes, like sharing lifts or scheduling multiple visits in a single trip, have made a noticeable difference.”

6. What challenges have emerged in working towards being carbon neutral, particularly in the clinical and life sciences sector?

“Shipping has definitely been one of the trickier areas. We work with manufacturers around the world, each using different couriers and methods, and a number of products require special handling, like refrigeration or transport on dry ice. Reducing impact here has relied on building strong relationships with our suppliers and encouraging them to measure and report their own emissions. As a distributor, we don’t always have direct control, so influencing change upstream is a learning process - but a very worthwhile one. It’s taught us a lot about collaboration, asking the right questions, and thinking creatively to reduce emissions wherever possible. Even small steps, like grouping shipments or choosing greener transport options, add up over time and make a real difference in reducing our impact”

7. How does Oxford BioSystems ensure its sustainability claims are evidence-based and measurable?

“Working with a certified partner means we follow a clear, structured, and auditable approach. We have regular checks and reviews in place, which gives us confidence that our claims are robust and transparent. For our customers, knowing that our approach is methodical and evidence-based helps them feel assured about the steps we’re taking.”

8. Why is it important to view being carbon neutral as an ongoing process rather than a single milestone?

“Being carbon neutral isn’t a one-off achievement - it’s part of a longer-term journey towards our overall goal of net zero by 2050. There’s always room to improve, whether it's through smarter processes, new innovations, or simply being more mindful in everyday operations. The business environment keeps changing, so flexibility and ongoing review are essential to making meaningful progress over time.”

9. What does Oxford BioSystems’ carbon neutral status mean in practical terms for customers such as researchers, clinical scientists?

“Our carbon neutral status gives customers reassurance and demonstrates our commitment to reducing environmental impact. Many of our customers are on the same sustainability journey, so this shared focus helps build trust and confidence. Delivering high-quality, reliable products is central to everything we do in research and clinical work. We consider the certifications and policies of our suppliers as part of how we work so we can provide the products our customers need while steadily making progress on sustainability."

10. Are customers increasingly factoring sustainability and environmental responsibility into purchasing and partnership decisions?

“Yes, definitely. More and more of our customers are thinking about sustainability when choosing suppliers, and for some, it’s now part of their formal procurement processes. Having certification can be an important part of supplier evaluation and procurement decisions. For example, government organisations follow the Procurement Policy Note PPN 06/21, which requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts of a certain value to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan. Being carbon neutral helps us align with these expectations and work alongside customers who are equally focused on environmental responsibility.”

Our commitment to sustainability

At Oxford BioSystems we take carbon reduction seriously and approach it with rigour. We’re committed to making measurable progress, and while we don’t claim to have all the answers, we’re proud of the positive changes this journey has already inspired across the business. 

Looking ahead

The work of the team at Oxford BioSystems has helped embed sustainability across the company’s culture and operations, from travel and supplier partnerships to everyday decisions. Travel and shipping will continue to be key areas of focus, alongside ongoing engagement with our suppliers and our internal teams. While the journey continues, our company is making steady progress, and we hope this encourages customers and partners to think about the small steps they can take towards a lower-carbon future too.