Challenges and advocated solutions for environmental protection legislation for building infrastructure projects in developing countries: Evidence from Zambia

Abstract

Environment protection legislation is often inadequate and poorly implemented in Africa even though literature shows that it is important for environmental protection. Furthermore, there is a paucity of studies which examine the catalytic role of legislation in the building infrastructure sustainability agenda. Therefore, to bridge that knowledge gap, this study examined the adequacy of environment protection legislation for building infrastructure projects in Zambia and their associated challenges and solutions. The study used an exploratory qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders on environment protection. The study theorises that environment protection legislation in Zambia is fairly adequate but with inadequacies in its implementation, some with omitted content, and poor understanding of the importance of environment protection. Solutions include increasing the level of implementation of the legislation and championing awareness of the importance of protecting the environment. The findings have implications for sustainability transitioning in Africa.

Keywords

• Environmental legislation
• Environmental sustainability
• Legislation enforcement
• Sustainable infrastructure