Abstract
<p>Many countries around the globe have recently pursued sustainability. The public and governments are demanding sustainability due to worldwide environmental disasters caused by pollution and man-made activities that impact the ecological system. Green buildings represent a significant component of sustainability, as their construction is intended to reduce natural resources consumption through energy and water conservation. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s richest countries, but its number of certified green buildings is notably low. In addition, all of these buildings are certified by the US Green Building Council LEED rating system and not by a national organization. It seems that numerous barriers exist, slowing the development and diffusion of green buildings in Saudi Arabia. Through a systematic qualitative research approach, this research aims to explore barriers to the diffusion and adoption of green buildings in Saudi Arabia, which will facilitate the development of green buildings in Saudi Arabia. This research concludes the identification of 14 green building barriers, with lack of skilled personal and unsupportive government policies and regulations being the most significant barriers.</p>
Highlights
Enormous amounts of natural resources are being consumed daily around the world
This study aims to identify the major barriers to green building in Saudi Arabia and hopes to assist in promoting sustainable development in the Saudi building sector
Some interviewees were the sole providers of a couple of barriers, which resulted from their different backgrounds, exposure and experiences with regard to green buildings
Summary
Enormous amounts of natural resources are being consumed daily around the world. Governments and the public worldwide are responsible for controlling this consumption and looking for innovative and efficient alternatives that potentially lead to sustainable development. Energy shortages and environmental pollution have put significant stress on governments, and building energy efficiency buildings have become very important (Zhang & Wang, 2013). Several countries (e.g., Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, New Zealand and the European Union) set tough environmental laws due to climate change and environmental issues (Eves & Kippes, 2010). The enforcement of such energy regulations will result in a decrease in energy demand, the number of power plants, consumed natural resources and atmospheric emissions (Iwaro & Mwasha, 2010). The sustainable development of the built environment is vastly affected by the energy performance of green buildings (GhaffarianHoseini et al, 2013)
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