Championing biodiversity
Organisations from the mineral products sector and champions of the natural environment have come together to both celebrate and build on the biodiversity potential of the minerals industry.
'Building on our Legacy… Realising our Potential', an event for members of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), saw several companies from the aggregates sector take home an MPA restoration award and an inaugural Natural England-sponsored biodiversity award, for their contribution to land restoration.
Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the Mineral Products Association, championed the industry's 40-year track record of high-quality land restoration.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set out its ambitions for the natural environment for its first term of government. This includes the planting of one million new trees and 12 new natural improvement areas.
Jackson welcomed Defra's aspiration, but was keen to demonstrate how the mineral products sector can work with them to ensure delivery on the ground.
"In the last five years alone our members have already planted one million new trees, 57km of new hedgerows, and 21km of dry stone walls," he said.
Perhaps not always perceived as harmonious partners with the natural environment, Jackson said they were beginning to see something of a shift in the perception of the industry, as providing an opportunity rather than a threat.
Dr Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, sang the praises of the industry.
"The industry shows a real enthusiasm for wildlife and nature. You take corporate social responsibility to new heights," she said.
Chair of the all-party parliamentary group on biodiversity, Barry Gardiner, stressed the importance of ensuring the value of natural capital is at the heart of government's decision-making.
In reference to the natural environment white paper, he said it demonstrated that the government had "taken on this challenge".
Awards announced at the event included the winner of the inaugural Natural England Biodiversity award. This went to CEMEX UK in partnership with RSPB for lowland heath land creation at its Rugely Quarry in Staffordshire.
Winner of the MPA Restoration Award was Tarmac LTD's Bellmoor/Lound Estate.
Runners-up included Hanson UK and Lafarge Cement UK.
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