Managing Needs
Featured Construction Project Management Sustainability Competencies: Navigating Carbon Tax and Green Retrofitting Barriers from Corporations View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Malcolm Roy Weaich
Introduced in 2019, South Africa's carbon tax has imposed escalating financial penalties on corporations exceeding emission limits, costing up to six billion rand annually. This research scrutinises Construction Project Managers' (CPMs) perceived competencies in green retrofitting against the benchmarks established by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). It develops and validates Cognitive Competency Theory (CCT), which posits that the effectiveness of CPMs in executing sustainable retrofitting practices is markedly influenced by the synergistic relationship between their cognitive perceptions—including self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal agency—and their professional competencies, encompassing technical, behavioural, and contextual skills. This research underlines the criticality of bridging the gap between policy and practice to achieve sustainable outcomes in construction projects, especially amidst the pressures of carbon taxation and environmental regulations. Employing qualitative methods, the study engages with thirteen experienced CPMs in green refurbishment, unveiling that while CPMs play a central role in mediating carbon tax demands and championing sustainable development, they frequently lack comprehensive understanding of their role in environmental protection and adherence to carbon tax regulations. The conclusion posits that although CPMs are vital in navigating the complexities of green retrofitting, it is imperative to further explore the evolving role of CPMs in relation to regulatory pressures and industry standards. The CBE underscores the necessity for CPMs to possess competencies across various project development stages, yet the industry has not yet standardised sustainability competencies as a mandatory requirement for CPMs in SA.
Enhancing Local Resilience to Climate Change: An Evaluation of the Resilient Florida Grants Program View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Haris Alibašić
Florida has established the Resilient Florida Grants Program in response to escalating threats from sea-level rise, violent storms, flooding, and climate-related hazards. The initiative supports local governments in conducting vulnerability assessments and implementing resilience projects. This paper examines the effectiveness of the Resilient Florida Grants Program, focusing on its effectiveness in enhancing the adaptive capacities of local communities to climate change. Through a qualitative-method approach, investigating publicly available documents, data, and reports, the study assesses the effectiveness and outcomes of funded projects on local resilience strategies. The research integrates the principles of resilience theory and community-based adaptation (CBA) to analyze the effectiveness of resilience solutions and local governance in enhancing climate resilience in Florida. These theoretical perspectives offer a comprehensive approach to assessing the multifaceted strategies employed by the state to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change while not directly referring to the term itself. The analysis reveals critical insights into the program's role in fostering statewide adaptation and mitigation planning, the challenges encountered by local entities, and the potential pathways for enhancing the program's effectiveness in mitigating climate risks.
The Future of Sustainable Tourism
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Hitesh Mehta
According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the total number of international tourists worldwide in 2023 was approximately 1.3 billion. This represents a significant recovery from the pandemic, reaching around 88% of pre-pandemic levels. Future projections estimate that the total number of international tourists worldwide will reach 1.8 billion by 2030. This represents a significant increase from the pre-pandemic level of 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019. Up to now, Sustainable Tourism has played an important role in ensuring that the environmental, social and cultural impacts of tourism are reduced. However, travel & tourism growth is outpacing that of the global economy, and while WTTC data shows that the sector’s environmental footprint is being decoupled from its economic growth, we must accelerate this trend to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement and Convention on Biological Diversity. My presentation will demonstrate how, it is essential, that together, we ensure that tourism growth is sustainable & inclusive, contributing positively to the communities and natural ecosystems. I will also address the shifts in the Sustainable tourism industry that are growing due to current traveler preferences and industry standards.
