Barriers to Implementing Environmental Sustainability in UAE Construction Project Management: Identification and Comparison of ISO 14001-Certified and Non-Certified Firms

Abstract

Firms in the construction industry are under increasing pressure from regulatory bodies, clients, and the public to integrate sustainability into their business strategies. However, they encounter numerous barriers that hinder the implementation of environmental sustainability practices in construction project management. This study aimed to examine these barriers within the context of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) construction industry. To achieve this, the research employed a mixed-method approach. Initially, interviews were conducted to identify the prevalent barriers, resulting in the identification of twelve key barriers. Subsequently, a structured questionnaire was distributed to project managers from 90 firms, both ISO 14001-certified and non-certified, to rank these barriers and assess their significance. The findings revealed that “economic benefits placed above meeting environmental sustainability requirements” was the most critical barrier. Through factor analysis, three latent factors were extracted: (1) organizational and policy barriers, (2) compliance and resource efficiency barriers, and (3) sustainable design implementation barriers. Notably, significant differences were observed between ISO 14001-certified and non-certified firms, particularly regarding the importance of “economic benefits placed above meeting environmental sustainability requirements” and “insufficient consultation with stakeholders”. This study highlights the critical barriers to implementing environmental sustainability practices in the UAE’s construction industry and provides actionable suggestions for policymakers and decision-makers to overcome these challenges, with implications for similar environments worldwide.