Strategies and way forward of low carbon construction in Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The need for a paradigm shift to achieve low carbon construction is becoming increasingly apparent. Nonetheless, most existing publications have focused on lowering emissions during the operational phase of buildings, emphasizing the need for improved emissions management during construction. Thus, this study aims to investigate industry behaviours and practices and recommend strategies to improve low carbon in construction. The triangulation of information in this study was supported by observations of eight construction sites, expert interviews and responses from 79 respondents involved in construction projects. The findings suggest that limited investment and budget, resistance to change, lack of knowledge and experience on low-carbon technologies are the key impediments to effective carbon reduction strategies. The main determinants of behavioural change and industrial commitment to low carbon practices are boosting financial and economic value, strengthening institutional capacity development, establishing credible policy, promoting awareness, and expanding resources and skills. The findings of this paper may benefit construction stakeholders in identifying specific hurdles to low-carbon implementation and developing appropriate strategies to promote low-carbon development in Malaysia. This research contributes to the current knowledge about the industry’s behaviour and practice in emissions management and the significant challenges and drivers connected with low-carbon growth in developing countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Barriers
• construction industry
• low carbon
• emissions management
• strategies
• transition

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia, to support this publication via research grant FRGS/1/2019/TK10/UITM/02/4 and the construction stakeholders who have been involved in the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia [grant number FRGS/1/2019/TK10/UITM/02/4].