Strategic Approaches for Building Decarbonisation: Descriptive Evidence from Built Environment Professionals

Decarbonising the built environment has emerged as a critical pathway for mitigating climate change impacts, particularly in developing economies with rapidly growing construction activities. Despite the availability of diverse decarbonisation strategies, their effective implementation within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector remains uneven and insufficiently understood. This study aims to determine the strategic approaches for promoting the implementation of building decarbonisation initiatives in South Africa, drawing on descriptive evidence from built environment professionals. A descriptive research design was adopted, utilising structured questionnaire data collected from professionals across the AEC disciplines. Descriptive statistical techniques, including frequency distributions and mean score rankings, were employed to examine construction professionals’ perceptions of key strategic measures that can enhance the uptake of building decarbonisation practices. The findings indicate that ease of access to green financing options, implementing energy efficiency upgrades, promoting the use of green rating tools, using building energy management systems, and raising public awareness are perceived as the most effective strategies for accelerating building decarbonisation. These strategies place strong emphasis on financial support mechanisms, institutional frameworks, and behavioural change as critical enablers of decarbonisation in the built environment. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that successful building decarbonisation extends beyond technological availability and is strongly influenced by supportive financial structures, regulatory alignment, and stakeholder awareness. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on building decarbonisation by providing empirically grounded, practitioner-focused insights into implementation strategies rather than relying solely on technological solutions. The findings offer practical guidance for policymakers, industry leaders, and regulatory institutions seeking to operationalise decarbonisation objectives within the built environment. It is therefore recommended that policymakers strengthen green financing frameworks, embed decarbonisation requirements within building regulations, and promote industry-wide capacity-building initiatives. From a practical standpoint, industry stakeholders are encouraged to mainstream energy management practices and actively utilise green rating systems to guide low-carbon decision making. Future research should explore integrating these strategic approaches with quantitative performance-based assessments, longitudinal studies, and sector-specific case studies to further validate and refine building decarbonisation pathways in South Africa and comparable developing economies.