A roadmap for the reduction of carbon and ecological footprint of construction activity in Ghana

Abstract

Sustainable construction is acknowledged globally to be a viable means to reduce the negative environmental effects of construction projects. Sustainable construction utilises ecological and resource-saving concepts in executing projects. The reduction of carbon and ecological footprint of construction activity contributes to the achievement of sustainable construction. The sustainable construction practices are advanced in developed countries where governments have established legislation, codes, policies, and frameworks to promote the sustainability concept to reduce carbon and ecological footprint. However, sustainable construction implementation is immature in emerging countries like Ghana, because of implementation issues and unavailability of clear roadmap or government policies and legislation to promote the uptake. This study was motivated by a gap identified in the literature to develop a sustainable construction roadmap for the Construction Industry in Ghana to reduce carbon and ecological footprint of construction activity. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the research were: to determine why sustainability is a focus area that cannot be ignored by the Ghanaian Construction Industry; to determine how design should respond to sustainability requirements in the Ghanaian Construction Industry; to determine how construction materials should respond to sustainability requirements in the Ghanaian Construction Industry; to explore the effects of energy-efficiency on the construction process in the Ghanaian Construction Industry; to evaluate the modalities employed to reduce construction site solid waste in the Ghanaian Construction Industry; and to develop a sustainable construction roadmap that would reduce the carbon and ecological footprint of activities in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. The study was grounded in the pragmatist paradigm, and both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using a mixed method strategy. The qualitative data collected from three rounds of a Delphi study were analysed descriptively and inferentially. The strong agreement reached on the key elements of sustainable construction is supported by the comparative analysis between the 18 Delphi panel experts. In order to better understand the phenomenon of sustainable construction in Ghana, 405 valid and completed questionnaires were received and retrieved. The data were then analysed using Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). According to the research, one of the benefits of implementing sustainable construction is to raise standard of living in general. The response of construction industry in Ghana to sustainable design requirements highlights resource conservation, adaptations, whole life-cycle designs, and cost efficiency as the main areas of concern for sustainable construction. Also, the renewable, recyclable, and re-usable materials; durable materials; and materials of minimum adverse impact on the environment are to be adopted to respond to sustainability requirements in Ghana. Some of the advantages of energy efficiency on the construction process identified include reduction in fuel usage of construction equipment, minimal energy consumption and reduction in energy cost, reduction of emission levels and protection of the environment. The just-in-time operations, careful handling of tools and equipment on site, early and prompt scheduling of deliveries, and use of more effective equipment are the primary construction waste management practices in the Ghanaian construction industry to achieve sustainability. The quantitative data provided a basis on which the roadmap evolved to serve as a guideline for carbon and ecological footprint reduction of construction activity in Ghana. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, the developed roadmap was validated by academics and industry practitioners in Ghana, and the results indicated that the roadmap is useful and appropriate for application in the Ghanaian construction industry. Policy-makers, academics, developers, and investors who want to implement sustainable construction in the Ghanaian construction industry can use the study as a tool because it has practical, theoretical, and methodological relevance for sustainable construction. The Green Building Council in collaboration with the government should open offices in all the Assemblies to intensify the awareness creation and promotion of the roadmap to increase the adoption of the sustainable construction concept in Ghana. The government should implement financial incentives for construction companies and professinals that adopt sustainability practices to reduce carbon and ecological footprint of construction activity in Ghana. The study has contributed to sustainable construction body of knowledge since it reaffirmed the potential contributions to realising the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as 9, 12 and 13.