MPA wins biodiversity award, UK

The Mineral Products Association, UK, has won a CBI Trade Association Forum (TAF) Environmental Initiative Special Award, for the work of the Association and its members on Biodiversity. The Special Award stands out as one of only two Special Awards to be presented to Associations by TAF, alongside the 11 regular Best Practice categories.

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive MPA, said:  “MPA and its members are committed to enhancing biodiversity on mineral sites.  Continuing progress by our members in the quality of site management, restoration and after-use of minerals sites is expected to contribute significantly to the achievement of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. MPA members have a proven legacy of outstanding habitat and wildlife enhancement through quarry site management and restoration and our industry is uniquely placed to build on this legacy.  Biodiversity is a core value for MPA members and winning this award will only motivate us to do even more.”

MPA’s work in biodiversity has many strands, including developing partnerships with NGOs and Government; reinforcing and rewarding positive action through the MPA Biodiversity and Restoration Awards; raising awareness and changing attitudes to highlight the importance of biodiversity promotion and the key part MPA members play in this; education; and research.

Competition for Awards this year was described by the organisers as particularly fierce with many outstanding entries. As well as winning the Special Award for biodiversity, MPA was also a finalist in three other Best Practice categories: The Big Society Award, for the MPA Cycle Safe campaign; the Marketing Campaign of the Year, for the MPA ‘Safer By...’ family of health and safety initiatives; and Publication of the Year, for the MPA end of year members’ Achievements document.