Framework for the formulation and implementation of sustainable development policies for green buildings in Lebanon -

Abstract

The world population has reached more than 7 billion people who negatively affecting the environment and the climate due to the lack of development. Hence, there is a need to implement sustainable development strategies within national governments. Since green buildings form a major part in elevating the quality of life, it is essential to form policies that indorse this issue. Therefore, a framework for the formulation and implementation of Sustainable Development policies for green buildings proves a necessity. In Lebanon, there is a slow progress in implementing the concept of green buildings in the construction industry. Although there are some initiatives put into practice, still is there much work to be done. Such is the case of the 41 registered projects in Lebanon for LEED certification, but only 6 were certified. This research is connected to an international agreement by the UN under the name of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, nine out of the seventeen SDGs meet the concept of green buildings, according to the World Green Building Council (WGBC). Therefore, these 9 SDGs form the base for the policy formulation process in Lebanon. However, this process needs a defined framework, with defined stakeholders, which states for each their role towards policy formulation. The research methodology starts by a literature review providing examples on frameworks for countries similar to Lebanon. Followed by specifying the involved stakeholders, with some interviews that were made with key stakeholders as well as data collection. After specifying the stakeholders’ specific tasks, they are distributed in the different bodies of the framework. Finally, the framework paves the way into formulating and implementing sustainable development policies related to green buildings in Lebanon.