
The UK Resources Council (UKRC) have, on Monday 12 August, published its initial proposals for a potential Sector Deal between the resources sector and UK Government, which aims to unlock the sector’s full potential as a vital contributor to a circular economy; net zero carbon targets; and the Green-Growth agenda in the United Kingdom. Aligned with the publication of a consultation document, which sets out the council’s work to date, UKRC will also launch an online survey and invites individuals and organisations from across the resources and associated green-growth sectors to participate, by providing their views and feedback on the content of the consultation document. These consultation responses will help shape further work and the final proposed deal, which UKRC intends to put before the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) at the end of the year. In its consultation document, UKRC sets out its thinking on the approach to drafting the Sector Deal – focusing on four key themes – data & design, infrastructure, place (spatial planning) and people. Each theme was assigned to a dedicated working group, which produced draft commitments that could be put forward on behalf of the sector and corresponding “asks” of Government, in order to deliver the economic, social and environmental benefits through the deal, envisaged by UKRC. The membership of the UK Resources Council was assembled to include representatives from a broad cross-section of the sector, from organisations responsible for materials design; to the production and end-use of materials; recycling, resource-recovery and logistics; energy-production; and policy and regulation. The members of each of the working group were also called upon from across the sector, based on their specific expertise. However, through the consultation process, UKRC hopes to bring many more additional voices to the process and ultimately build consensus within the sector to adopt the final deal. Global sustainability services and solutions provider, Anthesis, has been instructed by UKRC to facilitate the working groups and administer the development of the sector deal. The consultancy brings expertise in both waste resources and the circular economy, as well as relevant datasets, to support the Council and the working groups. Anthesis will be responsible for consolidating, analysing and reporting back on the consultation outcomes in due course. Those who wish to participate in the consultation survey, and/or find out more about the proposed Sector Deal, will be able to access the consultation documents and survey from 3pm (GMT) on Monday August 12. The consultation will remain open until 6pm (GMT) on September 26 2019. The document and survey will be available online via the following link: https://sectordeal.anthesis.network/event-survey/ukrc-wider-consultation-for-the-resources-and-waste-sector-deal Dedicated email support will also be provided at sectordealsurvey@anthesisgroup.com. SWM have contributed to the development of the ‘Place’ chapter of the Sector Deal as a member of the working group. Please note the closing date of 26.09.19. Press release: UKRC_Consultation_Press Release_Final Consultation document: UKRC-Consultation Document_Final for distribution