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Environmental management systems in the architectural, engineering and construction sectors : a roadmap to aid the delivery of the sustainable development goals
Horry, Rosemary Booth, Colin A. Mahamadu, Abdul–Majeed Manu, Patrick
Horry, Rosemary
Booth, Colin A.
Mahamadu, Abdul–Majeed
Manu, Patrick
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2021-10-24
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s10668-021-01874-3.pdf
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Abstract
Realisation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) will provide improvements to people's lives and longevity of the planet. The architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors have a potentially huge role in aiding the delivery of many SDGs; however, there appears to be a lack of research into the engagement within this sector. The leading environmental management system (EMS), ISO 14001, can enable organisations in the AEC sectors to improve their business operations, whilst minimising their impacts on the environment and improving society. Therefore, the study sets out to use institutional theory to determine the usefulness of ISO 14001 as a tool within the AEC sector and to demonstrate how the organisational benefits could facilitate the delivery of the SDGs. A stepwise PRISMA review process facilitated the compiling of academic articles and professional reports (n = 44), which enabled the creation of an inventory of the perceived benefits (n = 85) and the recognised barriers (n = 63) to implementing ISO 14001 across the AEC sectors. These barriers and benefits were confirmed by environmental practitioners as being relevant to the incorporation of an EMS. The most widely reported benefits within the AEC sectors were improving environmental performance and compliance with legislation. Lack of government pressure and lack of expertise were the most widely reported barriers, followed by cost to AEC organisations utilising an EMS. Following on from this inventory of benefits, it was possible to develop of a conceptual roadmap, which illustrates where linkages exist with the SDGs. SDG 4, 8, 12 and 13 are shown as exhibiting the most associations with the benefits. This roadmap was reviewed by AEC sector professionals who confirmed its usefulness. Therefore, it is surmised that the roadmap could aid strategic organisational sustainable planning or for organisations to demonstrate the delivery of their corporate social responsibilities.
Citation
Horry, R., Booth, C.A., Mahamadu, A. et al. (2022) Environmental management systems in the architectural, engineering and construction sectors: a roadmap to aid the delivery of the sustainable development goals. Environment, Development & Sustainability, 24, pp. 10585–10615 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01874-3
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Journal article
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en
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© 2022 The Authors. Published by Springer. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01874-3
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ISSN
1387-585X
EISSN
1573-2975