Towards a consensus for implementing responsible sourcing (BES6001) in the AEC sectors

Sustainable consumption is vital for the attainment of targets, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors, there are clear requirements for responsible practices. Tools such as BES6001 – a certification for responsibly sourced materials – remain underutilised. This study aims to validate and provide a hierarchy of the benefits and barriers of BES6001 reported in academic literature. This is the first known study to utilise longitudinal research – a Delphi survey – to rank both thematic categories, benefit and barrier factors, and gain consensus among participants. Results note the highest-ranked benefits as stakeholder relationships, competitive advantage, improved transparency, supply chain performance, and environmental targets. The highest-ranked barriers included stakeholder value, capital costs, and a lack of specialist knowledge. The findings also highlight conflicting views of stakeholders when considering the value of responsible sourcing. Recommendations drawn from this study are (i) to undertake consultation of BES6001 organisations to understand lived experiences of certification, (ii) to investigate effective methods of stakeholder engagement, and (iii) to ascertain the contribution that BES6001 can provide towards the SDGs and, concomitantly, enable organisations to recognise their role in achieving global targets.