Sustainability & Responsibly Sourced Materials Sustainability is generally defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The use of coal ash in construction exists solely because of the combustion of coal. Therefore, while it is necessary to produce electricity from the combustion of coal, the resulting ash is an important mineral reserve for both the current and future generations. 25-11-11 There exists some 55,000,000 tonnes of PFA on stockpiles and landfill sites that could be exploited both now and in the future, which are being added to annually in excess of 2,000,000 tonnes. If we exploit PFA fully now it will leave virgin aggregates for future generations. While the use of coal ash products is generally considered to be a 'win-win' scenario in replacing Portland cement and virgin aggregates in a wide range of applications, however how these materials are produced, controlled, etc. is also very important for the future. In response to the concrete industry initiative being developed by The Concrete Centre, The British Cement Association and the British Precast Concrete Federation, the UKQAA has, like other material suppliers, agreed to work alongside the various concrete schemes being developed. The aims of the concrete industry scheme are as follows (July 2008 version): Example • To launch an Annual Sustainability Performance Report for the UK Concrete Industries commencing in March 2009 • To set targets for Performance Indicators (KPIs) by the end of 2009 • To establish a Joint R&D Programme to reduce CO2 and other impacts • To establish a Joint Skills Transformation Programme aimed at positioning the industry to play a leading role in the challenge of      sustainable construction • To provide clients with industry data for LCA (life cycle analysis) models • To develop ‘Sustainable Construction’ solutions • To provide clients with the knowledge and tools to adopt new solutions • To demonstrate the benefits of concrete in the built environment The UKQAA initially felt is was unable to sign up to all these commitments, in particular numbers 3 & 4, as these are open ended. A detailed explanation is given in our Press Release. A small association like the UKQAA does not have the staff or finances to enter into such commitments without specific limits being defined. Subsequently the wording was altered and the UKQAA was able to commit fully to the process at the Master Class signing day.