Constructing corporate social responsibility: Pathways to sustainable construction?

Abstract

The construction industry is a significant contributor to Australia’s levels of waste production and energy consumption. In 2006–2007, a total of 43.8 million tonnes of waste were generated in Australia and the construction and demolition sector accounted for 38 per cent of this (ABS 2010). Approximately 43 per cent of construction and demolition waste was disposed to landfill (ibid). It has been argued that construction and post-construction activities consume up to 50 per cent of all resources globally, 45 per cent of all energy generated to heat light and ventilate buildings (and an additional 5 per cent during construction) (Van Wyk and Chege 2004). As such, the industry is well-positioned to make a significant contribution to reducing national emissions and tackling industry contributions to climate change. However, the industry has been accused of being ‘socially irresponsible’ and compared with other industries, the building and construction industry is lagging behind in embracing the new paradigms of environmental sustainability (Fraser 2007). A survey of the top 100 companies in 2003 found that, in terms of environmental and sustainability accounting, the construction and building materials sector was one of the worst performers (KPMG International 2003). This paper reports on the results of a series of interviews with industry leaders, which explored industry perceptions of corporate social responsibility, and how the concept was understood in relation to environmental sustainability in the South Australian construction industry.