Abstract:
Higher education institutes have a vast variety of humans, processes, and activities with
significant waste generation, transportation, water and material consumption, and
energy and electricity consumption. They have the potential to disseminate and lead
future generations in the transition towards sustainability. Green buildings are
designed, constructed, and operated by efficiently utilizing resources to provide a
healthy and comfortable built environment while minimizing the life cycle cost. Higher
education institutes across the world are several steps ahead of Sri Lanka in
implementing green building practices. Thus, this research aimed to find approaches to
increase the implementation of green building practices in higher education institutes in
Sri Lanka. The research aim was approached through a qualitative case study.
Accordingly, three cases were studied by collecting data through nine semi-structured
interviews. Collected data were coded by using the NVivo 11 software and analysed
using the cross-case analysis. Findings revealed that benefits associated with green
buildings, leadership, specialization of the institute, institutional policy, and imposed
regulations drive Sri Lankan higher education institutes to implement the green building
practices. Lack of awareness, professional knowledge, skilled labour, and funds,
political regime changes, poor planning, and stakeholder management were identified
as barriers. The research outcomes guide the policymakers and management of the Sri
Lankan higher education institutes to effectively implement green building practices.
Further, the research outcomes will help to make strategies to reinforce the drivers and
mitigate the barriers.
