French expert: Implementation mechanisms main problem in sustainable construction

Despite the high level of global awareness about sustainable construction, the main challenge remains its implementation through practical application mechanisms, Emmanuel Normant, Vice President for Sustainable Development at Saint-Gobain, said during WUF13 in Baku.

"Sixty-seven percent of respondents stated that they fully understand what sustainable construction is, while 94% said they had at least heard of the concept. Nevertheless, serious gaps remain in integrating sustainable construction principles into financing, procurement, insurance, and construction decisions. According to the study, only 30% of specialists reported that they are currently implementing sustainable projects, while 55% plan to do so in the future. Although 86% of local elected representatives consider sustainability an important criterion in public procurement, only 20% said they reject projects that do not meet sustainable construction standards," he said.