QPA calls for holistic approach to sustainable construction

The Quarry Products Association (QPA) has called on the government to broaden its focus on sustainability in construction to include materials supply.

In its response to the department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s (BERR) draft strategy for sustainable construction, which closes for consultation today (30th November), the trade body welcomed the “joined up approach” to improving sustainability.

However, it said the omission of any mention of need for a steady and adequate supply of minerals needed to be addressed.

The QPA cited the progress the minerals industry had made in terms of sustainability, including the improvements it has made in health and safety performance which compare favourably with targets in the draft strategy. It also pointed out the aggregates sector was already working closely with conservation organisations, an idea that forms part of another recommendation.

QPA’s director general Simon van der Byl said: “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.”

The draft strategy’s key areas include:

• Reducing the carbon footprint of activities within the construction sector.
• Production of zero net waste at construction site level.
• Developing voluntary agreements and initiatives between the construction industry and its clients with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint and use of resources within the built environment.
• Creating a safer industry by improving skills, boosting the numbers of workers taking part in training programmes, and retaining more skilled workers.