Benefits of Green Building Collaborative Networks Towards the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa

Abstract

Green building collaborative networks (GBCNs) are groups, bodies, or associations of individuals, organisations, and professionals focused on promoting and advancing green/sustainable building practices. These networks play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable practices and driving the transformation of the building industry by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy. With only a few years to the 2030 deadline of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), enhancing the roles and capacity of GBCN is key to maximising and accelerating action impacts. Hence, the objective of this paper is to identify the potential benefits of GBCNs in the race to ensure the SDGs are attained in South Africa. The study employed the quantitative research approach using a structured questionnaire survey. The respondents are duly registered and practicing construction professionals in the South African construction industry (SACI). Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were utilised to analyse the collected and collated data. From the results of the study, 17 benefits of GBCNs were identified. Conclusively, GBCNs offer numerous benefits that contribute to a sustainable construction industry, promote the green concept, and most especially accelerate actions toward the attainment of the SDGs. To achieve this, a multi-stakeholder approach to promote partnership and collaboration, provide relevant training and education, provide necessary funding for research and innovation, and development of standards and policies is imperative