Sustainability awareness and practices in the Zambian construction industry

The construction industry makes a significant contribution to the global green-house gas emission. It is, therefore, critical that construction industry professionals should be aware of and practise sustainable construction. However, there is a paucity of studies on the awareness of sustainability and their practices in developing countries, with some results seemingly contradicting. This article explored the awareness and practices of sustainability in the Zambian construction industry. Data was collected from construction industry professionals through a questionnaire survey and a total of 112 responses were received. The relative importance index (RII) and a series of linear regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The participants’ perception of sustainability was primarily enviro-centric as opposed to the economic or social context. However, social and economic sustainability practices ranked highest, while environmental sustainability practices ranked in the bottom five of the 16 practices. While the participants perceived the environmental context as more critical in their understanding of sustainability, their practice reflected a focus on the social and economic sustainability context. The findings imply that merely increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of environmental sustainability may not lead to gross improvements in environmental sustainability practices. Therefore, studies that recommended increasing knowledge and awareness, in order to increase the implementation of environmentally sustainable construction, may have neglected the effect of the other barriers to sustainable construction which may be more critical. Studies with multivariate analyses such as structural equation modelling are needed to establish the contributory effect of the various barriers to environmental sustainability practices and so establish the extent to which knowledge and awareness alone, and other factors, can improve environmental sustainability practices. &nbsp

Sustainability awareness and practices in the Zambian construction industry

The construction industry makes a significant contribution to the global green-house gas emission. It is, therefore, critical that construction industry professionals should be aware of and practise sustainable construction. However, there is a paucity of studies on the awareness of sustainability and their practices in developing countries, with some results seemingly contradicting. This article explored the awareness and practices of sustainability in the Zambian construction industry. Data was collected from construction industry professionals through a questionnaire survey and a total of 112 responses were received. The relative importance index (RII) and a series of linear regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The participants’ perception of sustainability was primarily enviro-centric as opposed to the economic or social context. However, social and economic sustainability practices ranked highest, while environmental sustainability practices ranked in the bottom five of the 16 practices. While the participants perceived the environmental context as more critical in their understanding of sustainability, their practice reflected a focus on the social and economic sustainability context. The findings imply that merely increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of environmental sustainability may not lead to gross improvements in environmental sustainability practices. Therefore, studies that recommended increasing knowledge and awareness, in order to increase the implementation of environmentally sustainable construction, may have neglected the effect of the other barriers to sustainable construction which may be more critical. Studies with multivariate analyses such as structural equation modelling are needed to establish the contributory effect of the various barriers to environmental sustainability practices and so establish the extent to which knowledge and awareness alone, and other factors, can improve environmental sustainability practices.&nbsp

Making sustainable regional design strategies successful

This paper identifies innovative methods of strategic spatial design to demonstrate the sustainable outcomes that can be achieved by adopting landscape practices to future-proof our cities and regions. A range of strategic landscape-led models and methodologies are investigated to reveal the structure, administrative processes and key elements that have been adopted in order to facilitate the integration of climate change environmental design and landscape quality. We have found that a strong established framework that demonstrates innovative project management and early integration of environmental ideas is critical in order to be able to deliver landscape schemes that appropriately identify and address current climatic and social challenges. Furthermore, to make a real difference in the way that professional practice and politics deal with landscape infrastructure, the project framework and key concepts related to landscape design and planning, such as low carbon design and spatial quality, need to be clearly supported by legislation and policy at all levels. Together with close attention to the importance of design, this approach is more likely to ensure effective implementation and smooth communication during the development of a landscape scheme, leading to higher levels of sustainability and resilience in the futur

LEED Certification: Gold Standard or Gold Star

abstract: Since its launch by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification has been postured as the "gold standard" for environmentally conscious, sustainable building design, construction and operations. However, as a "living measurement", one which requires ongoing evaluation and reporting of attainment and compliance with LEED certification requirements, there is none. Once awarded, LEED certification does not have a required reporting component to effectively track continued adherence to LEED standards. In addition, there is no expiry tied to the certification; once obtained, a LEED certification rating is presumed to be a valid representation of project certification status. Therefore, LEED lacks a requirement to demonstrate environmental impact of construction materials and building systems over the entire life of the project. Consequently, LEED certification is merely a label rather than a true representation of ongoing adherence to program performance requirements over time. Without continued monitoring and reporting of building design and construction features, and in the absence of recertification requirements, LEED is, in reality, a gold star rather than a gold standard. This thesis examines the lack of required ongoing monitoring, reporting, or recertification requirements following the award by the USGBC of LEED certification; compares LEED with other international programs which do have ongoing reporting or recertification requirements; demonstrates the need and benefit of ongoing reporting or recertification requirements; and explores possible methods for implementation of mandatory reporting requirements within the program.Dissertation/ThesisM.S.Tech Technology 201

Nathan Cummings Foundation - 2006 Annual Report

Contains president's message, list of trustees and staff, program descriptions, grants list, and shareholder activities report

Montana Business Quarterly, Fall 2006

This is an academic publication produced by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana’s College of Business. This is volume 44, number 3.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/mtbusinessquarterly/1187/thumbnail.jp

It takes two to tango: Co-creation for sustainable development in the food retailing sector

Sustainable development (SD) issues are one of the top concerns of contemporary societies and whose problems are a responsibility shared by all countries, individuals, governments and businesses. The environmental impacts derived from current production and consumption habits are not sustainable for the planet and more than a quarter of these can be blamed on the food industry. If firm measures are not put into practice quickly, the future of upcoming generations will be compromised. The normalization of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an embedded part of businesses’ strategy has undoubtedly help to raise awareness on the importance of SD, but companies cannot succeed alone. Consumers are also a key part on the process of achieving SD and without them, it will not be possible to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. The concept of Consumer Social Responsibility (CnSR) is thus introduced not only as a way of holding consumers responsible in the battle for SD too, but also to understand the drivers of consumers when it comes to sustainable food purchasing. Finally, Co-creation is suggested as a solution to connect retailers and consumers so that, together, they can pursuit SD. As to access the research question, a qualitative study was performed with interviews including both consumers and retailers and it was concluded that there is still a lot of work that must be done by both parts.As questões relacionadas com o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (DS) são uma das maiores preocupações da sociedade contemporânea e cujos problemas são uma responsabilidade partilhada por todos os países, indivíduos, governos e empresas. Os impactos ambientais derivados dos atuais hábitos de produção e consumo não são sustentáveis para o planeta e mais de um quarto destes é causado pela indústria alimentar. Caso não sejam adotadas medidas firmes rapidamente, o futuro das gerações vindouras será comprometido. A normalização da integração da Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC) como parte integrada da estratégia das empresas sem dúvida que ajudou na consciencialização para a importância do DS, mas as empresas não podem ser bem-sucedidas sozinhas. Os consumidores são um elemento chave no processo de atingir o DS e sem eles, não será possível cumprir os Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável propostos pelas Nações Unidas. O conceito de Responsabilidade Social do Consumidor é deste modo introduzido não só com uma forma de responsabilizá-los na luta pelo DS, mas também para entender as motivações dos consumidores no que toca à compra sustentável de comida. Por fim, a Co-criação é sugerida como uma solução para conectar os retalhistas e consumidores para que, juntos, possam na procura pelo DS. Para confirmar as perguntas de investigação, foi adotado um estudo qualitativo onde se realizaram entrevistas aos consumidores e retalhistas e onde se concluiu que ainda há muito trabalho para ser feito de ambas as partes