The three-pillar conception of (social, economic and environmental) sustainability, commonly represented by three intersecting circles with overall sustainability at the centre, has become ubiquitous. With a view of identifying the genesis and theoretical foundations of this conception, this paper reviews and discusses relevant historical sustainability literature. From this we find that there is no single point of origin of this three-pillar conception, but rather a gradual emergence from various critiques in the early academic literature of the economic status quo from both social and ecological perspectives on the one hand, and the quest to reconcile economic growth as a solution to social and ecological problems on the part of the United Nations on the other. The popular three circles diagram appears to have been first presented by Barbier (Environ Conserv 14:101, doi: 10.1017/s0376892900011449, 1987), albeit purposed towards developing nations with foci which differ from modern interpretations. The conceptualisation of three pillars seems to predate this, however. Nowhere have we found a theoretically rigorous description of the three pillars. This is thought to be in part due to the nature of the sustainability discourse arising from broadly different schools of thought historically. The absence of such a theoretically solid conception frustrates approaches towards a theoretically rigorous operationalisation of ‘sustainability’.

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Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins

The evolution of the concept of sustainable development is used as a basis for advancing understanding of sustainable construction. Principles of sustainable construction are developed and divided into four ‘pillars’ - social, economic, biophysical and technical - with a set of over-arching, process-oriented principles, to be used as a checklist in practice. A multi-stage framework is proposed which requires the application of Environmental Assessment and Environmental Management Systems for construction projects.

Sustainable construction: principles and a framework for attainment

Enhancing environmental sustainability over building life cycles through green BIM: A review

Key performance indicators and assessment methods for infrastructure sustainability—a South African construction industry perspective

This paper presents a conceptual framework aimed at implementing sustainability principles in the building industry. The proposed framework based on the sustainable triple bottom line principle, includes resource conservation, cost efficiency and design for human adaptation. Following a thorough literature review, each principle involving strategies and methods to be applied during the life cycle of building projects is explained and a few case studies are presented for clarity on the methods. The framework will allow design teams to have an appropriate balance between economic, social and environmental issues, changing the way construction practitioners think about the information they use when assessing building projects, thereby facilitating the sustainability of building industry.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/2/2/126/pdf?y=1

Design of A Sustainable Building: A Conceptual Framework for Implementing Sustainability in the Building Sector

Sustainability assessment methods for building projects have a major role to play in introducing sustainability values and principles into mainstream construction practice. The paper reflects on potential measures that should advance building assessment practice in fostering sustainable construction and it advocates a redefinition of the objectives of building assessment methods. Arguably, the current emphasis in the building process and building assessment on a physical design and functional properties of buildings needs to be complemented with a concern for the quality of social and technical processes. To increase the effectiveness of any building assessment method, it is necessary to define clearly its desired outputs and outcomes. The paper suggests three significant outcomes of building sustainability assessment: integration; transparency and accessibility; and collaborative learning. These outcomes have emerged from a critical appraisal of the theory of Environmental Assessment and the Process Prot...

Advancing key outcomes of sustainability building assessment

Inadequate attention has been given to integrating EA and project design. To move EA from a negative, adversarial role to a proactive creative role as a design tool, it must transform from being directed at the production of a standalone report to a process able to contribute apposite environmental advice in good time for each of the decision-points in the planning process. We introduce the concept of decision-scoping into the standard scoping exercise as the essential precursor for this integration. Decision-scoping develops a schedule of all planning and design decisions to be made during the planning and approval cycle, and identifies the information on environmental constraints and opportunities that will be pertinent before each decision-point. This schedule becomes the framework around which the EA manager can creatively design each EA process.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02688867.1995.9727001

Decision Scoping: Making EA Learn How the Design Process Works

This paper reports on an interview-based survey of small and large wineries, which considered the perceptions and experiences of both ISO 14001 and an industry specific initiative, called the Integrated Production of Wine scheme (IPW). Large wineries have not yet implemented ISO 14001 but several intend to in future. Small wineries had a poor knowledge of ISO 14001 and believed that ISO management systems (i) are not required by the niche markets they sell to, (ii) require resources that they do not have and (iii) are unsuitable for their informal management style. Although wineries do face market-related environmental pressure, especially those that export to large supermarkets, there is as yet no pressure to introduce ISO 14001. The majority of wineries are members of the IPW scheme and are willing to make the changes required by it. IPW needs effective systems for monitoring and for removing non-complying wineries if the system is to improve environmental performance throughout the industry and achieve credibility amongst stakeholders. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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Environmental initiatives in South African Wineries : a comparison between small and large wineries

Environmental management during project implementation is an essential area for improving the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and its South African counterpart, Integrated Environmental Management (IEM). The objectives and components of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in the implementation phase are outlined. An EMP should contain a summary of impacts, mitigation measures for specific impacts, inspection procedures, a monitoring programme, and audit requirements. Factors determining the need for environmental management are listed.

Richard C. Hill

Papers

Sustainable construction: principles and a framework for attainment

Advancing key outcomes of sustainability building assessment

Decision Scoping: Making EA Learn How the Design Process Works

Environmental initiatives in South African Wineries : a comparison between small and large wineries

Integrated Environmental Management Systems in the implementation of projects