MPA publishes Sustainable Development Report 2010
THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published its Sustainable Development Report 2010 which shows how, in spite of very difficult market conditions, the industry has continued to invest in sustainability and its performance in several key areas has improved.
Highlights from the report include:
‘However, there are inevitably some areas in which our capacity to improve our sustainability is being frustrated. A more effective mineral planning system is particularly essential if we are maintain the steady supply of products that society needs. We also have continuing concerns about the cumulative impacts of both regulation and taxation, while our cement members are increasingly concerned by the myriad of market measures in Europe and the UK to reduce carbon emissions.
‘The challenge is to tackle these issues and continue to meet society’s demands and needs, while raising the bar for sustainability performance even higher. But with our industry already so central to UK sustainability, it is a challenge MPA members are ready for.
‘Government needs to recognize the industry’s progress in operational and environmental performance. Mineral products issues should be central to Government delivery of its aspirations for the natural and built environment.’
Highlights from the report include:
- MPA members achieved the five-year Hard Target of halving reportable injuries by 2009. The actual reduction since 1999 is 83%.
- The proportion of aggregate, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete sites covered by certified environmental management systems increased to 81%, 84% and 80% respectively. One hundred percent of cement plants are certified to EMS.
- The cement industry recorded a 58% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2009.
- Use of recycled aggregates further increased to achieve a market share of 28% compared with 10% in 2000. This market share is more than three times higher than the European average.
- The overall use of aggregates per capita in Great Britain is over 30% lower than the European average. Cement use in Great Britain is 60% lower than the European average on a per capita basis.
- The industry planted over 313,000 trees and 14.4km of hedgerows in 2009 compared with 129,000 trees and 9km of hedgerows the previous year.
- Complaints recorded by aggregates operations fell from 524 to 385 in 2009, while the number of liaison groups rose from 240 to 283.
‘However, there are inevitably some areas in which our capacity to improve our sustainability is being frustrated. A more effective mineral planning system is particularly essential if we are maintain the steady supply of products that society needs. We also have continuing concerns about the cumulative impacts of both regulation and taxation, while our cement members are increasingly concerned by the myriad of market measures in Europe and the UK to reduce carbon emissions.
‘The challenge is to tackle these issues and continue to meet society’s demands and needs, while raising the bar for sustainability performance even higher. But with our industry already so central to UK sustainability, it is a challenge MPA members are ready for.
‘Government needs to recognize the industry’s progress in operational and environmental performance. Mineral products issues should be central to Government delivery of its aspirations for the natural and built environment.’
