The complexity of environmental problems is demonstrated by the faact that a large number of factors are responsible for "the problem", which also has multiple impacts and effects.
This complexity extends itself into the environmental decision-making sphere as well, requiring multiple decision to be taken by different stakeholders, for different solutiuons. Complex global environmental problems include, for example, pollution, global warming, natural resource depletion, waste disposal, or the bigggest of them - climate chnage. These problems are caused by a number of cascading issues, and in turn result in a number of impacts
Based on its experience in a number of fields and issues, GDRC developed a decision-support tool called the GET Matrix in order to analyse and separate the different decisions needed to solve an environment problem.
GET stands for Governance, Education and Technology. Actions necessary to tackle any complex environmental problem are broken down into:
remedial actions, to deal with existing problems, or impacts of existing problems
preventive actions, to deal with avoiding or preventing problems from occuring in the future, and
management actions. that help in bridging remedial and preventive actions.
Remedial Actions
Preventive Actions
Management Actions
Remedial actions within the GET Matrix involve measures taken to address existing environmental problems or mitigate their impacts. These actions are focused on rectifying or minimizing the negative environmental consequences associated with buildings and construction activities.
For example, remedial actions may include retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient systems, implementing waste management strategies to reduce construction and demolition waste, or retrofitting buildings to improve water efficiency and reduce water consumption. Remedial actions aim to improve the environmental performance of existing structures and reduce their impact on the environment.
Preventive actions in the GET Matrix are aimed at avoiding or preventing environmental problems from occurring in the future. These actions focus on sustainable planning, design, and construction practices that address the root causes of environmental impacts. Preventive actions may involve incorporating green building principles into design and construction processes, promoting sustainable materials and resource-efficient construction techniques, and considering the life cycle impacts of buildings.
For instance, preventive actions may include designing buildings to maximize energy efficiency, utilizing renewable energy sources, implementing rainwater harvesting systems, and promoting sustainable urban development practices. Preventive actions in the building and construction sector aim to minimize the environmental footprint of new construction projects and promote sustainable development.
Management actions within the GET Matrix serve as a bridge between remedial and preventive actions. These actions focus on the overall governance, education, and technology approaches necessary to support sustainable practices in the sector. Management actions may include establishing green building codes and regulations, promoting sustainability certification programs (e.g., LEED, BREEAM), providing education and training to professionals and stakeholders on sustainable building practices, and fostering research and development of innovative technologies for the sector.
Additionally, management actions involve encouraging collaboration among stakeholders, such as government agencies, industry associations, and research institutions, to create a supportive framework for sustainable construction practices. Management actions in the building and construction sector aim to facilitate the adoption and implementation of both remedial and preventive actions, driving sustainable outcomes throughout the sector.
These actions are then further categorized into those that deal with governance (rules, regulations, legislation, codes, specifications etc.), education (awareness, professional conduct, ethics, etc.) and technology (technologies themselves, and the skills, competence, knowledge and capacities needed to manage those technologies).
Taken together, the above issues form the GET Matrix as illustrated below:
Governnce
Education
Technology
Preventive
Actions
Management
Actions
Remedial
Actions
Each of the resulting cells in the matrix will outline actions that need to be taken, and help identify the actors who will be responsible for their implementation.
The GET Matrix is illustrated here for the building and construction sector. we are currently faced with three trends - (1) increasing populations, (2) more than half of the world's population living in cities, and (3) humans spending more than 80% of their time indoors within their homes and work places. This has placed the building and construction sector as a key driver to achieve sustainable development.
With respect to sustianable buidling and construction what kinds of actions can be envisaged? Within a city or locality, who is the best actor who can provide for or undertake that action?
The GET Matrix: Actions related to Governance
Governnce
Education
Technology
Preventive
Actions
Management
Actions
Remedial
Actions
Governance systems concern the laws, rules, regulations, codes, standards and specifications that are needed to promote sustainability in the building and construction sector.
Critical stakeholders that need to be involved include the national and local governments, professional certification bodies and associations, building material manufacturers etc.
Preventive actions could include:
Institute sustainable building regulations and codes
Making urban planning rules and zoning regulations orientated towards sustainability
Promoting corporate environmental and social responsibility
Management actions could include:
Create policies and strategies and incorporate into existing government plans and programs
Provide timely SBC information to assist decision-making
Institute environmental management systems based on ISO14001
Remedial actions could include:
Rethinking policies affecting the sector, including financial ones, and strengthening standards
Making procurement procedures more sustainability oriented
Instituting inspections and sustainability rating systems
The GET Matrix: Actions related to Education
Governnce
Education
Technology
Preventive
Actions
Management
Actions
Remedial
Actions
Education systems concern the awareness, professional ethics/conduct, and skills that are needed to promote sustainability in the building and construction sector.
All stakeholders, from local governments to architects, engineers, developers and others need to be involved in raising awareness on sustainability issues.
Preventive actions could include:
Conduct training and education programs
Utilise or create community planning forums
Implement aninformation campaign for all stakeholders
Management actions could include:
Develop and promote a SBC awards program
Professional conduct and accreditation
Performance reporting
Remedial actions could include:
Improving access to information
Continuing education courses and reskilling workshops
Building public and enterprise awareness and knowledge sharing
The GET Matrix: Actions related to Technology
Governnce
Education
Technology
Preventive
Actions
Management
Actions
Remedial
Actions
Technology systems, as used in this context, have a broad meaning and concerns not only the actual technology, but also the skills, competence, knowledge and capacities that are needed to manage the technology.
This broader meaning, therefore, requires a range of stakeholders to be involved, including architects, engineers, developers, building material and equipment/tools manfacturers etc.
Preventive actions could include:
Include SBC specifications in contracts
Establish performance based contracts
Financial programmes and subsidies
Management actions could include:
Create partnerships with research organisations and universities
Create a database of green building suppliers, construction and demolition companies
Establish a network/forum of SBC companies to share information
Remedial actions could include:
Upgrading skills and worksite health and safety
Monitoring and evaluation techniques
Improving data collection and indicator development
The GET MAtrix is thus, a decision-support tool that provides a "big picture" of the complex and interrelated actions and actors needed to promote sustainability within the building and construction sector.
