Social and Economic Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Materials on Buildings in Kuwait

Abstract

Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost. This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in the resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost. This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in the