Moving towards zero-emission construction sites in the Dutch infrastructure sector

Abstract

To limit the effects of climate change, it is crucial to motivate contractors and the government to reduce emissions at construction sites in the infrastructure sector. This research is an exploratory study on which barriers slow down and which drivers accelerate the transition towards zero-emission construction sites in the Dutch infrastructure sector. The goal of this study was to gain insight into the transition process from a government, contractor and technological perspective. Eventually, actions for acceleration were established to answer the main research question: How can the transition towards zero-emission construction sites be accelerated?

Technologically, the most important barrier is the limited availability of zero-emission construction equipment. Also the costs of zero-emission alternatives are currently too high to be profitable compared to the existing machines functioning on fossil fuels. For motivating contractors, the interviewees indicated the need for incentivizing emission reduction at construction sites by rewarding frontrunners and creating competitive advantage through award criteria in infrastructure projects. The research shows that corporate drivers, e.g. competitive advantage are key internal drivers for contractors. Contractors can accelerate the transition by tendering these emission reduction projects to enhance their competitive advantage. Winning these projects finances the zero-emission equipment and leads to an increased competitive advantage. Contractors could start to increase their experience with available small and medium size electric equipment. The respondents also indicated that the government could play a greater stimulating role than it does at present. As main client it is important that the government challenges the market to operate in a zero-emission way as much as possible. As legislator/policy maker it is important to create boundary conditions for contractors to enable them to invest in zero-emission equipment. More clarity and continuity of future policy plays a significant role for motivating contractors.

When the actions for acceleration are taken, the first step towards an accelerated transition can be made, by slowly changing some of the underlying problems how the construction industry is organised. These are mainly changing the competing market dynamics, the enabling policy environment and increasing the attractiveness of alternative technologies. The government can use policy instruments to incentivize, communicate and cooperate with and enforce the private sector to enhance private emission reduction efforts. Moreover, contractors could also take social responsibility, and not consider emission reduction at construction sites only as a governmental matter. The combination of more intrinsic motivation of contractors and an active use of policy instruments by the government can pave the way for creating more resilient and future-proof ways of construction.