Integrating Sufficiency in Sustainable and Green Building Rating Tools - The Sufficiency Investigation, Gain and Notification (SIGN) Framework

Authors

Jeremy Thobo Gibberd Dr, CSIR/University of WitwatersrandFollow

Abstract

Sufficiency can be defined as a situation when a purpose has been achieved, a need has been met and a desired and optimal state has been achieved. In terms of sustainability, it is seen as a strategy for achieving human needs without exceeding the Earth's planetary boundaries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified sufficiency as having a critical role in achieving climate targets. Sufficiency is also increasingly being integrated in national energy and sustainability strategies. However, sufficiency has not been included as an explicit factor in sustainable and green building rating tools. This study investigates the implications of sufficiency for these tools. It develops a sufficiency framework for the built environment and uses this to evaluate a sustainable building rating tool, the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool (SBAT). The evaluation finds that while sufficiency is acknowledged implicitly in the tool, this concept is not addressed explicitly. The study recommends that existing SBAT criteria be modified. It also recommends that new criteria with a sufficiency focus be developed. Implications of these recommendations for other green building rating tools are shared. The paper concludes that the concept of sufficiency has an important role to play in meeting sustainable development and climate change targets and should integrated into sustainable and green building rating tools.

The paper will be presented:

In-person

Primary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Responsible Consumption and Production - - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Secondary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Primary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W116 – Smart and Sustainable Built Environments

Secondary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W107 – Construction in Developing Countries

Recommended Citation

Gibberd, Jeremy Thobo Dr (2025) "Integrating Sufficiency in Sustainable and Green Building Rating Tools - The Sufficiency Investigation, Gain and Notification (SIGN) Framework," CIB Conferences: Vol. 1 Article 300.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/3067-4883.1765