An integrated policy framework for sustainable building energy performance policies and processes in the Southern African Development Community [SADC]

Abstract

Many countries have considered building energy performance (BEP) a key practical solution
to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions owing to the sizeable share of
energy demand in buildings. In recent decades, various policy strategies and innovative
market solutions have been introduced in different parts of the world in a concerted effort to
mitigate the challenges associated with building energy performance. This research focuses
on the policies and processes for building energy performance in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region. To provide a holistic view of SADC within a
global context an evaluation of the broader BEP policy worldview was undertaken. This
foundational step provided the research backdrop for the assessment of BEP policies and
processes and the identification of the research gaps within SADC.
The research aim was to synthesise and develop a framework that provides an alternative
pathway to engender a widespread improvement of building lifecycle energy performance
policies and processes in SADC. An equal status multilevel sequential mixed methods
research approach was adopted. The approach followed four distinct stages, namely, data
collection, data analysis, framework development, and the conclusion. All data points were
integrated sequentially as each stage was conducted. The framework development and
concluding stages brought together the study findings from the research.
Several challenges concerning the BEP policy status quo were identified, and the dynamics,
barriers, and opportunities were divided into broader overarching global findings and more
specific findings related to the SADC region. The findings on the status of the building
energy performance policy landscape revealed that there needs to be more research
contributions on building energy performance for the SADC region. Furthermore, a closer
look at SADC exposed some real and present deficiencies in the BEP policy landscape,
which is synonymous across most of the sixteen member states (MS).
The international consensus regarding the need for energy-efficient buildings offers a
suitable environment for developing innovative solutions that are contextually relevant. The
proposed framework presented in this work offers the SADC region the means to embrace
contextually viable solutions that address the socio-economic-political-environmental
realities. The integrated approach proposed in this work represents a wholesome process that
will bring about a changeover that will create a truly sustainable and regenerative built
environment in the region.

Date of Award	26 Apr 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Teesside University
Supervisor	Farzad Rahimian (Supervisor), Mina Najafi (Supervisor) & Dana Abi Ghanem (Supervisor)