30 November 2007

QPA Calls for More Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Construction

QPA, the principal trade body for the quarry products sector, has this week laid down its commitment to a strategy for sustainable construction but has identified a need for Government to broaden its focus on construction to include materials supply.

In its response to DBERR's consultation which closes today, QPA welcomed an opportunity for a "joined up approach" to improving sustainability for construction "throughout the sector and [for] its regulators and stakeholders". However, with national minerals policy underlining the need for a steady and adequate supply of materials, the omission of this position from the sustainable construction strategy needs to be addressed, particularly as the minerals industry is already making great strides within sustainable development.

Prime examples of the aggregates sector's commitment to sustainability include an improvement in health and safety performance by 75% since 1999 together with a policy objective of zero incidents. This compares with far less rigorous targets ("reduce the incidence rate of fatal and major injury accidents by 10% from 2000 levels by 2010) in the draft strategy.

The draft strategy also proposes that the construction sector could deliver further benefits for biodiversity by developing active partnerships with conservation-focused NGOs and Government agencies such as Natural England. In practice, the aggregates sector already has a track record of working closely with conservation organisations and improving biodiversity and is looking to further expand this activity.

QPA's Director General Simon van der Byl commented: "the quarrying industry welcomes a more strategic approach to ensuring construction is sustainable, but we are looking for a more holistic construction strategy which takes full account of the supply chain. We also hope that this greater focus on sustainability will encourage a more proportionate and reasonable approach to the implementation of regulation in our sector."

ENDS

Contact Tim Parry 020 7963 8000.