CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2022 · Vol. 2022, Issue 1

Examining issues influencing the application of green building technologies in Lesotho

Rethabile Nkoe, Eric Kwame Simpeh and John Smallwood

Keywords: Construction, energy efficiency, green building, stakeholders, strategies, technologies

Abstract

The construction industry is thought to be the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (GHG), which harm both humans and the environment. As a result, it is critical that buildings be built and operated in an environmentally friendly manner, with 'mother nature' and future generations in mind. Despite numerous measures taken by countries around the world to introduce green building initiatives (GBIs), less developed countries continue to lag in terms of adopting green building technologies (GBTs). Therefore, the study aims to improve the current state of the Lesotho construction industry's GBIs and to raise awareness that will influence and promote the use of GBTs in the Lesotho construction industry. The qualitative research approach was adopted, and interviews were conducted, posing a series of questions to the construction stakeholders. The respondents were selected purposively based on their availability and willingness to participate in the study. The findings from the study revealed that there is limited knowledge amongst the construction role players. Furthermore, the introduction of mandatory policy and standards as the first step in regulating the construction industry is a strategy that could be used by both the public and private sectors. Based on the findings, it is recommended that a green building (GB) professional body be established to aid in the promotion of GBIs by regulating the Lesotho construction industry. It is also recommended that the government set the example by implementing GBTs in state-owned buildings to facilitate the smooth implementation of the practice to improve the sustainability and energy performance of buildings.