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ABSTRACT
In an attempt to encourage and incentivise sustainable infrastructure practices, rating tools have been developed in different geographies. This paper explores the value of such tools in educating the engineering profession and shifting action within the infrastructure industry. The paper draws on a substantive international scale research programme, which examined multiple aspects of rating tool design and use, the context in which the tools operate, and the links between the tools and an evolving sustainability agenda. Research data from 119 civil infrastructure projects and 63 interviews with infrastructure owners and tool users provided significant findings on sustainability outcomes achieved, factors affecting outcomes and the wider influence of the tools. Rating tool influence was evident beyond rated projects in practitioner’s broader professional practice, in policies and practices within their home organisations and in the engineering profession and infrastructure sector more broadly. Research outputs include a conceptual framework on rating tool influence and a sustainability maturity model for infrastructure owner organisations. These outputs can assist asset owners, advisors and other professionals to develop strategies for addressing the challenges of sustainability in civil infrastructure development. In particular, the findings contextualise the tools as ‘processes of change’ at the individual, organisational and industry level.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Kerry Griffiths
Dr Kerry Griffiths has played a significant role in driving sustainability practices in the New Zealand civil infrastructure industry, and led the sustainability agenda on several iconic infrastructure projects. Kerry works as a Technical Director Sustainability with AECOM and recently completed international-scale research into sustainability rating tools for infrastructure. Her doctoral research included interviews with 63 tool users and infrastructure owners in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States. Kerry received her PhD at the University of Auckland New Zealand, her MBA (Distinction) at Victoria University of Wellington and her MSc in Responsible Business Practice at the University of Bath, England.
Carol Boyle
Professor Carol Boyle joined Deakin University in 2015 and is leading Infrastructure Futures, a research programme aimed at meeting the challenges of infrastructure development. During her 19 years at The University of Auckland, she established the Sustainable Built Futures Center and chaired four international conferences on sustainability engineering. She was Chair of The Sustainability Society for 14 years and a member of the Governing Board of the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ for two years. Her research focuses on working with industry to understand the complexity of dynamic infrastructure systems to inform decision making to deliver sustainable infrastructure.
Theunis F.P. Henning
Dr Theunis F.P. Henning is the Director of the Climate Adaptation Platform, Transportation Research Center and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, specialising in Infrastructure Asset Management. Theunis received his ME (Transportation) from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, his PhD at the University of Auckland, where he held a Foundation for Research Science and Technology Bridge Future Scholarship. He has worked on many projects with various agencies including the World Bank. His research includes condition deterioration modelling, asset management systems, optimisation of infrastructure renewal and replacement programmes, infrastructure resilience and climate change adaptation. He has been the author of 36 international journals and primary author of 4 World Bank Guidelines for developing countries.