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Invasive species free quarries: benefit for business and nature - Israel
Background
Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered the second largest threat to global biodiversity and mining can lead to their spreading. Companies and society are facing increased liabilities and costs to deal with them. Many invasive species that grow in aggregate quarries produce a lot of seeds that are exported via the aggregate material. Once dispersed on construction sites IAS can easily spread further into natural ecosystems and damage them. Alongside ecological damages, IAS are a hazard for infrastructure, and can cause economic damages to roads, pipes, etc. Therefore, an IAS free quarry is a benefit not only to the environment, but to society and the economy.
Location : Israel
Size : Nationwide
Mineral type : aggregates
Habitat(s) created : -
Target species : Invasive alien species of plants
Protected areas : -
Organisations : The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI, BirdLife in Israel), Hanson Israel (HeidelbergCement Group)
Why is this project needed?
Companies are unwillingly contributing to the spread of IAS and are not given enough alternatives of sterile aggregates. HeidelbergCement’s subsidiary Hanson Israel is working towards sectorial leadership in IAS control as it has been treating its quarries to get rid of invasive plants.The project will help Hanson Israel to brand itself as a better supplier of clean aggregates.
Project objectives
The principle activities of the project include:
• Creating a voluntary “code of conduct” for IAS free quarries in Israel, which will include at least 50% of the national production.
• Promoting the code of conduct as a business advantage, by mainstreaming the demand for clean aggregates (material that originated from an IAS free quarry) in infrastructure construction.
• Promoting regulations that support invasive free quarries.
• Creating a voluntary “code of conduct” for IAS free quarries in Israel, which will include at least 50% of the national production.
• Promoting the code of conduct as a business advantage, by mainstreaming the demand for clean aggregates (material that originated from an IAS free quarry) in infrastructure construction.
• Promoting regulations that support invasive free quarries.
Public benefits
Benefits to the public stem from a reduction in the spread of invasive alien species which are an important driver for the extinction of local species, with implications on biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. Less will be spent by the public and company budgets on treating IAS infestations and on infrastructure maintenance.
Representatives from companies (e.g. national electricity company, water company, road and rail companies, private construction companies, IDF, etc.) will benefit by getting IAS free substrate that will cut down expenses on IAS treatment and damage control.
Representatives from individual companies and from the quarries’ association will benefit by branding themselves as clean manufacturers, and meeting the necessary standards.
