Linking environmental impact assessment, environmental management systems and green procurement in construction projects: lessons from the City Tunnel Project in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract

Construction projects often involve significant environmental impacts (EIs). Although EI assessments are required for these projects, the commitments made in the EI statements are rarely followed up. As a consequence, the emphasis on and the awareness of these issues in the contractor's organisation are often insufficient. Drawing on a case study of the City Tunnel Project in Malmo, Sweden, this paper illustrates how the EIs identified in the EIA can be followed up by integrating them in the project- environmental management system, the construction contract procurements, and the EMSs and work instructions of the contractor. The use of environmental procurement preferences is suggested to provide a link between the EIA and the contractors' EMSs.

Keywords:

• Environmental impact assessment
• environmental management system
• green
• procurement
• construction industry