This report on the Responsible Sourcing of Aggregates in the Pacific supports the identification of, and transition to, sustainable and resilient sources of quality, cost-effective aggregates for the infrastructure sector. Sourcing affordable, quality aggregates of the right type has been a particular challenge in many PICs in recent years. Infrastructure developers are concerned given that sand, gravel, and crushed rock are indispensable for concrete production, road base, road surfacing and land reclamation, the latter being of which are all critically importance in a region that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The report identifies numerous challenges, including delays to infrastructure projects, high material and shipping costs, delayed shipments due to inadequate port facilities, lack of testing facilities to determine aggregate quality, adverse impacts on infrastructure caused by poor quality or unavailable aggregate, and the environmental and social impact of extraction. There is an urgent need to protect against these adverse impacts, particularly as infrastructure development and coastal protection measures place even greater demands on aggregate resources. The Principles for Responsible Sourcing of Aggregates in the Pacific proposed at the end of this report, along with the report’s other recommendations, can help address these technical, environmental, and social challenges.
