Assessment of triple bottom line of sustainability for geotechnical projects

Faisal Raza (), Badee Alshameri () and S. Muhammad Jamil ()
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Faisal Raza: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
Badee Alshameri: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
S. Muhammad Jamil: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2021, vol. 23, issue 3, No 77, 4558 pages

Abstract: Abstract The American Society of Civil Engineers set three pillars of sustainability, the triple bottom line approach, revolving around the environment, economy and equity. This approach is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Activities undertaken in any construction project must follow this approach and must be audited to validate their impact on sustainability. Geotechnical projects lack an audit/assessment tool encompassing the triple bottom line. Efforts were made to modify SPeAR (Sustainable Project Appraisal Routine) into Geotechnical SPeAR, but the system lacks the quantification scale as used by Environmental Geotechnics Indicators. The study aims to develop a new tool called Geo-SAT (Geotechnical Sustainability Assessment Tool), overcoming these limitations, incorporating engineering as a vital pillar. Geo-SAT is based on indicators quantified on a scale of 1 (detrimental) to 5 (significantly improved) to assess the impact of actions taken or considered, on sustainability. The total number of indicators developed is 169 out of which 79 are specific to the triple bottom line approach and 90 to engineering. These indicators are generic and can be used for geotechnical projects with the flexibility of exclusion as per the nature of the project. The different fields targeted are dams, foundations, landslides, contaminated site remediation, soil and erosion control, offshore construction and transportation. This tool will serve as a potential code of sustainability for geotechnical projects.

Keywords: Triple bottom line; Sustainable Development; Aspects; Indicators; Assessment; Sub-indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00786-y

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