Thought Leadership: Imported carbon guidelines must acknowledge local context when adapted to SA construction
By Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC)
CAN South Africa’s construction industry benefit from best-practice frameworks developed overseas? And how well do international guidelines – such as the Hong Kong Construction Association’s Best Practice Guideline for Carbon Smart Construction Site – translate into local realities?
The short answer: South Africa’s industry is simply too different to apply them wholesale.
Built around the “4M1E” model – man, machinery, materials, methods, and environment – the Hong Kong guideline outlines 36 measures to make sites cleaner and more sustainable. For South Africa, where the government has already shown leadership through the Climate Change Act, carbon budgeting, and sustainable procurement, this international standard presents an opportunity to accelerate progress – if adapted carefully.
1. Aligning with local legislation
South Africa’s legal framework differs sharply from Hong Kong’s. While strong emissions regulations already exist, direct adoption of Hong Kong’s measures would be impractical. Instead, the guideline could act as a template, mapping each measure against national and provincial legislation. A practical checklist linking global best practice with local requirements would make compliance far easier.
2. Addressing cost discrepancies
Some carbon-smart measures are far more expensive in South Africa due to import costs and limited local supply. Smaller projects, such as informal housing upgrades or municipal roadworks, cannot easily absorb these costs. A tiered approach is needed – distinguishing between essential, affordable measures and advanced ones suited to larger builds. Cost-benefit analyses should also highlight how upfront investment reduces long-term energy and maintenance costs.
3. Accounting for local technology availability
Electric machinery, hybrid engines, and low-carbon steel are widely available in Hong Kong but not yet at scale in South Africa. Universal adoption would be unrealistic. Imported guidelines should promote phased implementation, encourage local material validation, and foster partnerships with domestic manufacturers.
4. Adapting to climate and environmental conditions
Measures that work in Hong Kong’s subtropical climate may not suit South Africa’s diverse conditions. In semi-arid regions, water-based dust suppression is impractical; in high-rainfall provinces, drainage takes priority. Flexibility is key – using low-water dust suppression, shaded rest areas for workers, and stormwater controls where needed.
5. Building resilience to logistics and fuel challenges
South Africa’s long transport routes, variable fuel costs, and recovering supply chains pose risks unfamiliar to Hong Kong. Guidelines should include strategies to optimise deliveries, minimise idle time, and build contingencies for energy and fuel supply.
Ultimately, international frameworks like the HKCA’s are valuable benchmarks, but their true worth lies in local adaptation. With government policy already paving the way, the task now is to translate these frameworks into practical, site-level action – building infrastructure that’s both sustainable and suited to South Africa’s unique realities.
