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Beyond the Certification Badge—How Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Tools Impact on Individual, Organizational, and Industry Practice

Author

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  • Kerry Griffiths

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Carol Boyle

    (Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Theunis F. P. Henning

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

Abstract

Sustainability consideration in designing, constructing, and operating civil infrastructure requires substantive action and yet progress is slow. This research examines the impact third-party infrastructure sustainability rating tools—specifically CEEQUAL, Envision, Greenroads, and Infrastructure Sustainability—have beyond individual project certification and considers their role in driving wider industry change. In this empirical study, engineering and sustainability professionals ( n = 63) assess and describe their experience in using rating tools outside of formal certification and also the impact of tool use on their own practice and the practices of their home organizations. The study found that 77% of experienced users and 59% of infrastructure owners used the tools for purposes other than formal project certification. The research attests that rating tool use and indeed their very existence has a strong influence on sustainability awareness and practice within the infrastructure industry, providing interpretation of sustainability matters in ways that resonate with industry norms. The rating tools impact on individuals and their professional and personal practice, on the policies and practices of infrastructure-related organizations, and more widely on other industry stakeholders. The findings can be used to increase the value gained from sustainability rating tool use and to better understand the role such tools play in creating cultural change within the industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerry Griffiths & Carol Boyle & Theunis F. P. Henning, 2018. "Beyond the Certification Badge—How Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Tools Impact on Individual, Organizational, and Industry Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1038-:d:138994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tajda Potrč Obrecht & Roman Kunič & Sabina Jordan & Mateja Dovjak, 2019. "Comparison of Health and Well-Being Aspects in Building Certification Schemes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Martínez, Cecilia & Skeet, Ann Gregg & Sasia, Pedro M., 2021. "Managing organizational ethics: How ethics becomes pervasive within organizations," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 83-92.
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    5. Rodrigo Rodrigues de Freitas & Márcio de Almeida D’Agosto & Lino Guimarães Marujo, 2021. "Methodological Proposal for Recognition Systems in Sustainable Freight Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-16, July.

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