Insights and experiences of sustainability decision-making by construction clients

Abstract

Sustainable practices can only be successful when key stakeholders (e.g. client, designer, main contractor, subcontractors, etc) are in support of achieving them as shared values. The common goal of improving sustainable practices can be embedded in all aspects of projects ranging from conception to completion and in operation phase through to refurbishment and deconstruction or re/upcycling. This paper explores the various approaches that consultants adopt when ‘encouraging’ clients to buy into sustainable designs for large projects. Semi-structured interviews were collected from industry professionals (from Project Managers to Quantity Surveyors). Themes explored within the data included cost vs ‘environmentally-conscientious’ options, fundamental decisions for moving towards sustainable principles, and knowledge of long-term benefits of such choices. Furthermore, the study investigates the techniques that consultants and project teams adopt when clients are directly or indirectly against the concept of implementing such practices particularly when they believe them to be non-beneficial due to financial implications. The study sheds much-needed light on best practice methods adopted by firms operating in financially difficult environments, working to ensure green targets. It is evident from this research that everyday subcontractors need further assistance through additional measures if higher standards of sustainability are to be realised.