Localizing urban buildings carbon emissions reduction: causes and strategies

Purpose The lack of carbon emission reduction strategies specifically devised for buildings in urban areas in developing countries has affected the global course of tackling carbon emissions. The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of carbon emissions from buildings in urban settings in Ghana and generate specific reduction strategies. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with reference to Kumasi Metropolis, an urban area in Ghana. Adopting a survey research design, data obtained from 106 built environment professionals (BEP) were analyzed using Garrett’s mean ranking and factor analysis (FA) techniques. Findings Urban buildings’ carbon emissions in the study area are attributable to construction, demolition energy consumption, technological and economic factors. The strategies emerging from the study emphasize organizational and governmental policy and regulatory factors, as well as the adoption of indigenous sustainable materials and technology. Practical implications BEPs and construction industry regulatory bodies will have to consider socioeconomic characteristics of a specific location in the development of organizational and localized carbon emission reduction policies. Social implications Local authorities who plan economic activities such as trading and associated taxation in urban areas in developing countries should consider the climate change implications of such socioeconomic activities. Originality/value This is one of the first studies that has conceived carbon emission causes and reduction strategies within the context of a typical developing country’s urban setting to overcome the pragmatic challenges associated with past carbon emission reduction frameworks.