Mastic asphalt sector claims 'carbon neutral' status

james.stagg@rbi.co.uk

The mastic asphalt sector is attempting to reduce its environmental impact by establishing itself as a 'carbon neutral' industry.

Over the last 18 months, the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) has evaluated all members' processes - from production to delivery and installation - and calculated their collective emissions.

After identifying areas where energy efficiency could be improved by manufacturers, distributors and contractors, MAC has calculated that a remaining 165kg of carbon dioxide per tonne of asphalt is left to be balanced.

To offset this residual energy, the initiative will involve investment in energy-saving projects in Africa through a carbon offsetting company. This will be financed by a self-imposed levy on the industry's services.

While John Blowers, director at MAC, hopes the initiative will "inspire the entire construction industry", environmental experts have warned that without first reducing energy use and looking at where energy is sourced, the practice is questionable.

Blowers continued: "To achieve carbon-zero status, the mastic asphalt business is effectively taxing itself in the interests of the environment. While individual companies may have decided to take this route, this is a first for an entire industry."

Yet some in the industry are uneasy that carbon offsetting is seen as an easy way out of environmental responsibilities, rather than a last resort.

John Tebbit, industry affairs director at the Construction Products Association, said: "Carbon offsetting shouldn't be employed in place of energy efficiency. But if the industry has got down to an irreducible minimum of energy use, then it's acceptable."

A spokesman for the UK Green Building Council said: "The principle should be to reduce what you can first and only offset as a last resort. But this initiative shows a willingness to engage with the issue."