The Impact of Climate Change on the Construction Projects in Malaysia

Koek, Jia Chyn (2024) The Impact of Climate Change on the Construction Projects in Malaysia. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

As the global climate continues to undergo significant changes, the construction industry faces increasing challenges in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The sector contends with the vagaries of weather, which have far-reaching consequences for construction endeavours, potentially leading to financial setbacks stemming from diminished labour productivity due to work disruptions. Notable climate change factors linked to these challenges encompass heavy rainfall, increased temperatures, extreme wind conditions, sea level rise, lightning and heavy haze. The data collection process was executed through a structured questionnaire survey using Google Forms, resulting in the acquisition of 369 responses. These responses were garnered from Grade 7 contractor companies located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, renowned for their involvement in significant projects across Malaysia. Subsequently, during the data analysis phase, it was determined that 185 out of the 369 respondents participated in the survey, representing precisely 50% of the total respondents. However, the research findings shed light on the most prominent influencers on construction projects, with heavy rainfall and increased temperatures emerging as the most significant factors. This significance is evident in their notably high mean scores of 3.88 and 3.80, respectively. They manifestly affect crucial aspects of construction projects, including visibility for both workers and machinery operators, and they contribute to the creation of unfavourable working conditions. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that climate change significantly impacts construction projects in several ways. Firstly, thermal cracking in concrete, caused by increased temperature fluctuations during construction, is the most significant impact on construction materials. Increased wear and tear on plants and equipment has the greatest overall impact. Additionally, reduced labour productivity due to adverse outdoor working conditions can lead to project delays. Also, findings showed that climate change affects the expected project delivery date which can result in increased project costs, contractual disputes, and reputational damage for construction firms. Furthermore, climate change also increases the risk of accidents and incidents on construction sites and accelerates the corrosion of infrastructure, further impacting projects. Lastly, the study identifies several effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change on construction projects. The findings showed that tax credits or subsidies provided to developers who employ sustainable building materials and technology is one of the effective solutions. Such incentives can lead to substantial reductions in project costs while also serving as regulatory mechanisms that safeguard buildings against the impacts of climate change. Next, enhanced worker safety and contributions to climate change mitigation associated with the adoption of all-electric equipment. The development of nature-based drainage systems to enhance flood resilience and prefabrication as a construction technique capable of significantly reducing construction waste, potentially achieving reductions of up to 52%. These solutions collectively contribute to the industry's resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change challenges.