The engagement of the UK construction industry towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

Watts, Greg

Abstract

Purpose (limit 100 words) The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for UN member states to achieve prosperity and peace. A resilient construction industry should positively contribute to the achievement of all SDGs. Yet it is currently unclear if the industry helps or hinders SDG achievement. This research aims to explore if the industry is positively engaging with all SDGs. Design/methodology/approach (limit 100 words) This research is split into two phases. The first an objectivist Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) of sustainability reports from the ten leading UK contractors to identify direct and indirect SDG references. The second research phase adopts a subjectivist ontological position consisting of twenty-one semi structured interviews with a range of construction industry project based professionals. Narrative analysis is used to structure the interview questions and analyse the data gained. Findings (limit 100 words) Many SDGs are excluded from sustainability reports, and where discussed, only some are engaged with substantially. The SDG knowledge held by construction professionals is reduced further still, and SDG progress rarely measured. The ambiguity surrounding the SDGs enables discrepancies between reporting and professional perceptions. There is also a lack of regard for fellow contractor collaboration through fear of reduced competitive advantage. Originality/value (limit 100 words) This paper addresses a gap in literature between contractor SDG knowledge and action. This serves as a platform for future research agendas regarding how the SDGs can be better understood and actioned in a construction management context. For industry, inconsistencies between organisational sustainability reporting and the knowledge and awareness of staff are exposed, due to the lack of collaborative practices currently adopted.

Citation

Watts, G. (2024). The engagement of the UK construction industry towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, https://doi.org/10.1108/bepam-12-2022-0198

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 7, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jun 5, 2024
• Publication Date: Jun 5, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 11, 2024
• Journal: Built Environment Project and Asset Management
• Print ISSN: 2044-124X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/bepam-12-2022-0198
• Keywords: Sustainable Development, Collaboration, social value, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainability, Communication