Investigating the Drivers and Barriers to Implementing Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) in South Africa’s Private Housing Sector

The construction industry has long been criticised for significantly contributing to global carbon emissions and a large energy consumer. Economies around the world, however, have taken an active role in addressing the construction industry’s carbon footprint and high energy demands by incorporating green technologies and practices in construction projects. Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) have solved the construction industry’s challenges. The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) manages and applies tools such as Green Star SA, EDGE, and Net- Zero to assist in incorporating and certifying GBFIs in buildings. A literature review was conducted to identify key drivers and barriers to adopting GBFIs to ensure that the research contributes to a better understanding of these factors in the context of South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach comprising multiple case study analyses, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the construction industry. The case studies involved five major residential developments in municipalities in the Western Cape and Gauteng Provinces. The study highlighted factors such as client awareness and developer initiative as the key drivers of adopting GBFIs, followed by increased international investment. However, the study yielded many barriers, including financial and government-related barriers in the form of legislation.