Sustainable Development Update
The QPA has published its fourth Sustainable Development Report, providing data up to 2007. The data coverage in the report is equivalent to 76% of UK aggregate sales and identifies key sustainability trends including:
- Reportable injuries amongst QPA members have declined by 75% between 1999 and 2007
- Sector carbon emissions averaged 6kg CO2 per tonne of output, ranging from 3.98 kg CO2 for the production of sand gravel to 26.8 kg CO2 for the production of asphalt. The aggregates sector accounted for 0.61% of UK carbon dioxide emissions (including both operations and transport)
- The share of recycled and secondary aggregate of the total GB aggregates market was 25% in 2007, the highest share anywhere in Europe
- 35 million tonnes of aggregates (16% of the GB primary aggregates total) were delivered by non road modes of transport - 15 million tonnes by rail and 20 million tonnes by ship and barge
- Average road delivery distances for aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete were 22 miles (35km), 17 miles (28km), and 5 miles (8.3km) respectively, highlighting the generally local nature of supply
- Only 0.12% of the UK land area was being quarried in 2007, and the area of land restored was higher than the areas of land prepared for quarrying
- 307 liaison groups between quarries and local communities were recorded
QPA Director General Simon van der Byl commented:
Although the industry is having to deal with very difficult market conditions which will continue in 2009, QPA members remain committed to being open and transparent about their sustainability performance. We understand the challenges associated with Government’s strategy for Sustainable Construction and want to ensure that our materials are accepted as responsibly sourced and contribute to higher standards of living and improving quality of lives for people in the UK.
ENDS
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