Integration of Environmental and Sustainability Management Practices into Construction Industry: A Case Study

Abstract

Integration of environmental and sustainability management into the construction industry has become essential as a result of a need to improve financial performance, adopt international protocols in a global marketplace, address stakeholder interests, and attain high environmental performance. Communities also expect organizations to comply with environmental standards and reduce the environmental impacts in their daily operations. That may be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for the organizations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Environmental impacts arising from the construction industry and the consequences could be challenging if appropriate practices are not in place. Therefore, adopting responsible approach to management of environmental matters and embedding the environmental and sustainability principles into the full lifecycle of the projects, starting as early as conceptual design, is crucial for long-term success. Responsible environmental management and commitment to sustainability has been central to Public Works Authority (PWA)'s success as a leading government organization. This is evident from the manner in which PWA is requesting all contractors and consultants working on behalf of PWA projects to develop and implement Environmental Management System (EMS) and comply with international sustainability rating schemes for their projects. This paper provides information on a case study; namely the Musaimeer Pumping Station and Outfall (MPSO) project and discusses the strategies, systems, procedures, and tools developed and implemented by the Project Management Consultant (PMC) and the Contractor to achieve and exceed PWA's environmental and sustainability requirements for the project.