Paper Example on Green Technology in the Construction Industry

What is green technology in the construction industry?

The green technology involves putting up buildings that integrate solutions such as ambient lighting and heating, solar energy, reducing greenhouse gases, and wastewater management among others during construction.

What are some of the proposed advantages of incorporating green technologies in construction?

Some of the reported benefits of using green technologies in the construction sector include:

Reducing maintenance, water, and energy costs

Reducing safety and health costs

Protecting the environment and natural resources

Improving ambience of indoor environments

Receiving tax incentives from the government

What are the survey and study about?

The current questionnaire focuses on the masters thesis The Use of Green Buildings in the UK Construction Industry, which is an ongoing graduate program at the University of Salford Manchesters Quantity Survey Department. The United Kingdoms government has shown commitment to supporting the adoption of green technologies in the domestic construction industry through various policies and initiatives such as Zero Carbon, Green Deal, Fabric Efficiency Standard, and BREEAM among others. The purpose of the current study is analyzing the extent of the adoption of green technologies in the United Kingdom through interviews and questionnaires submitted to professionals in the construction sector. The findings from the study will help in evaluating the governments success in promoting green technologies, identifying the benefits of the green technologies, and supporting further adoption of such technologies in the construction industry. Additionally, the study will also examine the economics of using green technologies in buildings and identifies strategic keys that increase the cost effectiveness of such technologies.

The respondents should first indicate their personal details and that of their companies before proceeding with the other parts of the questionnaire. The respondents should submit information on how their companies perceive green technology in addition to the motivators and barriers of the adoption of green technologies in the construction industry. The survey would take about 25 minutes to complete, and the researchers would maintain the confidentiality of the information submitted by the respondents on their companies. The study is meant for academic purposes and does not seek to publicize the views of different companies on green technologies.

RESPONDENT INFORMATION

Please state your profession/job: ______________________

For how long have you worked in the UK construction industry?: __________

How have you ever worked on a construction project that involved green technologies?: __________ If yes, what was your position: _________________

How did you learn about green technologies in the construction industry? (Mark all that apply)

Internet research

Reading trade publications

Attending workshops and conferences

Working with consultants

Interactions with colleagues

Other (specify): __________________________________

GENERAL PERCEPTIONS ON GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

Which buildings do you think should incorporate green technologies? (Rank based on the order of importance ranging from 1 as most important to 7 as least important)

Shopping malls _______________

Hotels _____________________

Private Homes _______________

Health Care Facilities __________

Institutions/Offices _______________

Government Buildings _____________

Learning Institutions (Colleges/Universities) _________

Other (specify) _________________

Who do you think have the most significant impacts during the adoption of green technologies in the construction industry? (Rank based on the order of importance ranging from 1 as the most important to 8 as least important)

Architects ______________________

Financial Experts _____________________

Government ____________________

Home owners ___________________

Engineers ____________________

Operations Technicians _________________

Public ___________________

Mid-level Managers ________________

Other (specify) ___________________

Can green technologies help in reducing the total lifecycle costs of buildings in two decades when compared to traditional construction methods?

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

What do you regard as the leading motivating factors for the adoption of green technologies in the UK construction industry? (Please mark the appropriate box)

A: ECONOMIC MOTIVATORS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

A.1. Lower initial costs of constructing green buildings A.2. Higher rates of return on investment for green buildings A.3.Reduced annual energy costs A.4. Reduced repair and maintenance costs of green buildings A.5. Reduced costs of waste disposal from green buildings A.6. Green technologies help in reducing emission and maintenance costs A.7. Green technologies increase the sale and rental values of buildings A.8. Houses to be using green technologies receive construction approvals quickly A.9. The government offers tax incentives/abatements for green buildings B: SOCIAL MOTIVATORS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

B.1. Green buildings improve the quality of indoor environments and lead to improved health for occupants B.2. Using green technologies improve the satisfaction and comfort levels of occupants B.3. Using green technologies on buildings help in improving the occupants quality of life C: ENVIRONMENTAL MOTIVATORS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

C.1. Using green technologies in buildings help in protecting ecosystems and natural resources C.2. Green technologies in buildings help in improving the quality of air and water C.3. Using green technologies in the construction industry help in controlling climate change C.4. The green technologies in construction help in mitigating the negative impacts of the construction industry on the environment D: ORGANISATIONAL MOTIVATORS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

D.1. Companies that use green technologies in their buildings demonstrate high levels of corporate social responsibility D.2. Companies that use green technologies in their buildings realise increased positive publicity D.3. Talented and skilled individuals are likely to seek employment in companies that use green technologies in their buildings D.4. Using green technologies in buildings allows organizations to reduce the need for risk management due to reduced risks of accidents D.5. Incorporating green technologies in buildings eases the process of advertising an organizations products D.6. Companies that use green technologies in their premises receive tax incentives from the government E: MARKET MOTIVATORS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

E.1. The media has increased the attention towards green technologies in the UK construction industry E.2. The demand for green houses is on the increase in the United Kingdom E.3. The rating systems used on green buildings continue to gain prominence, and this increases their values in the domestic market E.4. Changes in environmental policies and building codes have led to the increased the need for green buildings What do you consider as the most significant barriers to the adoption of green technologies in the UK construction industry? (Please mark the appropriate box)

A: ECONOMIC BARRIERS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

A.1. Lengthy payback for investments in buildings that use green technologies A.2. Low returns on investment from green buildings A.3. Very high costs of constructing buildings that incorporate green technologies A.4. High costs for repairing and maintaining green buildings A.5. Customer reticence to pay for costly green building projects A.6. Inadequate government incentives A.7. High financial risks associated with green buildings B: AWARENESS/EDUCATION BARRIERS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

B.1. Uncertainty and misunderstanding of the green technologies in the construction industry B.2. Inadequate education programmes to spread awareness of green building technologies B.3. Inadequate number of empirically proven studies on the positive impacts of green technologies in the construction industry B.4. Shortage of workers and professionals with the required experience in incorporating green technologies in construction projects B.5. Inadequate assessments on the lifecycle costs of green buildings B.6. Inadequate number of studies on the cost-benefit evaluation of green buildings C: MARKET BARRIERS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

C.1. The construction industry is resistant to innovation and change C.2. Insufficient number of investors interested in constructing green buildings C.3. The government regulations on building standards pay little attention to green buildings C.4. Lack of consensus on the standards for green buildings C.5. Inadequate insurance cover for green building projects D: ORGANISATIONAL BARRIERS Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

D.1. Senior managers do not consider green technologies important during construction projects D.2. Many construction companies lack the financial capacity to integrate green technologies into their construction projects D.3. Most of the construction companies lack the appropriate methods of determining the life cycle costs of green construction projects D.4. Many construction companies lack the necessary experience to engage in projects that involve green technologies How can the government and the construction industry benefit from adopting green technologies?

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What can the stakeholders in the construction industry do to maximize returns from using green technologies?

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Part 2: The Use of Green Technologies in the UK Construction Industry Interview Questions

COMPANY INFORMATION

What are the main types of construction projects that your company pursue? (Please mark the appropriate box)

Engineering design

Transportation (bridges, tunnels, roads, etc)

Consultation services

Architectural design

Infrastructure (pipelines, sewerages, city infrastructure, etc)

Water structures (irrigation systems, dams, etc)

Industrial (powerhouses, refineries, factories, etc)

Building construction (governmental buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings, residential buildings, homes, etc)

Other (please specify): ____________________________________________

How many employees does your organization currently employ?

< 50 51 - 200 >200

Does your organization have an environmental management system?

Yes No

Does your company have any green teams or sustainability groups?

Yes No

If the answer is affirmative, what is the number of team members in the groups?

2 4 5 - 8 9 - 12 13 16 > 17

If the answer is negative, would you wish to create a sustainability group or green building division, or does your institution intend to create such teams and divisions?

Yes, definitely...