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1. Introduction
In Qatar, there is a growing body of research probing the relationship between the development of the construction sector and the deteriorating environmental condition of the country (Humphrey, 2016; Lanouar et al., 2016). In fact, studies showed that the construction sector is largely responsible for the aggravation of air pollution in the country (Gray, 2018; Balasubramanian and Vinaya, 2017). This prompted stakeholders and other concerned parties to adopt and implement green building practices (GBP) (Darko et al., 2017). As mentioned by Nduka and Ogunsanmi (2015), GBP is a technique for companies to minimize a building’s impact on energy consumption, environment and human well-being. In a country like Qatar, maximizing the use of daylight can help decrease energy use (Kozlowski, 2003). Additionally, incorporating an entire GBP construction cycle could lessen the negative consequences of the buildings to humans and the environment (Lacroix and Stamatiou, 2007). With a list of infrastructure developments underway and several more ambitious mega structures in the pipeline – including the Qatari national railways system, the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway, the Doha land-Msheireb urban redevelopment and the 2022 FIFA World Cup development (construction of nine new state-of-the-art stadiums, refurbishing of three existing stadiums and development of 90,000-room hotel projects) (Rudman, 2013) – the pollution levels and carbon dioxide emission in Qatar are expected to further increase (Pope, 2011). According to WWF (2010), the scale of infrastructure development makes going green indispensable to the country.
The state of Qatar plans to kick-off the 2022 World Cup with a green perception using technology and implementing environment-friendly policies that highlight the modern lifestyle of the country’s residents. It is the top priority of the state to make history and leave a distinctive mark for future visitors of the World Cup 2022 (Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, 2016). This can be achieved by increasing green building construction. The move is also in line with Qatar’s National Vision (QNV) 2030 (Sedky, 2016). However, due to the lack of action being undertaken by the construction industry, the realization of Qatar’s goals may be a hardsell. In fact, Horvath (1999) argues that the sector failed to reduce its environmental footprint, mainly due to the absence of concern in the implementation of green construction (Alsanad, 2015).
Qatar is...