How energy efficiency fails in the building industry

Abstract

This paper examines how energy efficiency fails in the building industry based on many years of research into the integration of energy efficiency in the construction of buildings and sustainable architecture in Norway. It argues that energy-efficient construction has been seriously restrained by three interrelated problems: (1) deficiencies in public policy to stimulate energy efficiency, (2) limited governmental efforts to regulate the building industry, and (3) a conservative building industry. The paper concludes that innovation and implementation of new, energy-efficient technologies in the building industry requires new policies, better regulations and reformed practices in the industry itself.

The value of communicative skills for developing an energy strategy

“…Due to the inherent uncertainties and the interpretative flexibility (cf. Ryghaug and Sørensen, 2009) related to energy-efficiency, and in line with Gioia and Chittipeddi's (1991: 446) description of a strategic vision, the energy target in our story may be seen as a "symbolic foundation for the stakeholders to develop an alternative interpretative scheme", which aimed to facilitate the creation of meaning in the process of changing practice. As such, the target might have triggered and stimulated organizational sensemaking.…”

“…Diverse and sometimes contradictory professional discourses, agendas and interests, creating communicative barriers, have been identified as potential obstacles for implementing energy policies into practice (Ryghaug and Sørensen, 2009). The story how a political directive was framed, contextualised and finally anchored in Alpha shows that managing a new energy target was primarily a matter of influencing stakeholders and making them committed.…”

Charting corporate greening: environmental management trends in Sweden

“…Besides providing environmental training to the great majority of built environment professionals, the need to train actors with other competencies than those of traditional construction project managers can also be anticipated. To meet the challenge of sustainable development in the built environment, there is a need to train professionals that can mediate between research, education and practice; that can seek to extend competence and excellence beyond a single discipline; and that have the intrapersonal skills to be self-motivated and self-monitoring and to motivate others (Hartenberger, et al, 2013;Gluch, et al, 2012;Ryghaug & Sørensen, 2009;Gluch, 2009).…”

“…Moreover, despite increased research and industry efforts and more stringent regulative environmental measures, policies, standards and codes, researchers claim that work practices in the construction industry have only marginally been affected (eg. Pan & Garmston, 2012;Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011;Ryghaug & Sørensen, 2009;Sayce, et al, 2007). It has even been questioned if built environment professionals due to conflicting institutional and epistemological logics currently frame and address the sustainability issue at all (Hill, et al, 2013).…”

How to Succeed in Low-Energy Housing—Path Creation Analysis of Low-Energy Innovation Projects

“…Regulation, the conservative nature of building industry and rising energy prices have been identified as common factors affecting these innovation processes [14,15]. The main barriers to highly energy-efficient building have been found to be investment costs, the nonexistence of energy efficiency as a variable in mortgage loans and in the calculations of real estate actors, the fear of moisture damage, credibility problems caused by the inexperience of actors and public tenders focusing only on price issues; important drivers have been found to be building codes, existence of frontrunner companies and construction of leading examples by public entities or companies [16][17][18][19].…”