Comparison of project performance assessed by infrastructure sustainability rating tools

Abstract

Following the extensive use of sustainability rating tools for buildings, similar tools for civil infrastructure have emerged. This study presents four industry-based infrastructure sustainability rating tools – Ceequal, Envision, Infrastructure Sustainability and Greenroads – and analyses how they assess and recognise performance. While other studies have examined the content and coverage of such tools, this study focuses on tool application – assessing a significant New Zealand-based state highway project by using each tool and comparing the results. The study explores biases within the tools and examines how each tool assesses and rewards projects and encourages project teams. The results show clear differences in the scores and award levels achieved from the same project practices and outcomes, thus encouraging infrastructure owners and tool users to challenge rating tool benchmarks and labels for sustainability. These findings highlight the dangers of direct comparisons across rating tools and the need for greater transparency in project-level sustainability reporting.