Aggregate Industries plans for Straitgate Farm must rank as one of the most unsustainable quarry schemes in the UK.
So what do we make of these words from Guy Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at Aggregate Industries, talking about net zero pledges?
Aggregate Industries: Holistic approach key to realising net zero pledge (@AggregateUK)https://t.co/xtxfRMmOZi
— Buildingtalk (@Buildingtalk) October 3, 2019
With the government committing to producing ‘net zero’ greenhouse gases by 2050, the construction industry’s role in safeguarding the future of our planet has never been more prevalent. In short, it means that, along with other sectors, emissions will have to be avoided completely or offset by planting trees or removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Yes, it is a huge task but the sector has been working hard in recent years to address these issues - we believe that having more stringent local targets in place will only work to drive the industry to cut emissions further and faster.
There is no question about it; the construction industry must become more radical and holistic in its approach to sustainability. In this way, we must deliver the infrastructure overhaul we need to establish real change; from optimising energy efficiencies, embracing new power sources and adopting sustainable supply chains, helping to achieve nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs) and in turn work towards realising the government’s new pledge.
While the magnitude of the task facing us in achieving ‘net zero’ is clear, we’re confident that a forward-thinking, progressive industry like ours will take up the mantel and lead the way in demonstrating the lengths we can go to reduce our environmental impact, which will positively impact us all.
Working hard to address these issues? More stringent local targets? Radical, further, faster, forward-thinking, progressive? Real change? This surely can’t be the same company wanting to put a new quarry 23 miles away from its processing plant, necessitating a round trip of 46 miles for every load of as-dug bog-standard sand and gravel, 2.5 million miles in total, can it? Surely not!
#Sustainability is at the heart of our business, and is incorporated in all of our operations. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment to sustainability and what that looks like throughout the business 🌍https://t.co/ttbNL7CBzO pic.twitter.com/zXnnVOW60y
— Aggregate Industries (@AggregateUK) October 30, 2020
