Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37999

Browse

Filters

2023 - 20242

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Higher Education Sustainability: Investigating the barriers and opportunities to sustainable infrastructural development in tertiary education institutions
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-03) Buthelezi, Nontobeko Lynda Valerie; Engelbrecht, Francois; Reid, Memory
    The research investigates sustainability initiatives in South African higher education, focusing on the refurbishment of water heating systems at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It examines the economic and environmental impacts of adopting greener technologies, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement. Using a mixed methods approach, the study combines qualitative interviews to understand stakeholder perspectives with quantitative analysis of costs and carbon emissions. The findings reveal that the new water heating system significantly reduces emissions—6.6 times less than the traditional system—resulting in a 9.71 kg monthly carbon footprint versus 64.296 kg with old geysers. Financial analysis shows an 81% cost reduction in water heating expenses due to the switch from grid electricity to natural gas, achieving a 4.16% return on investment. The research underscores the challenges in securing broad stakeholder support and the importance of a holistic sustainability approach that integrates economic, environmental, and social factors. It highlights the potential of such initiatives to reduce environmental impact, save costs, and drive innovation, providing insights for future sustainability efforts in higher education.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Employee Sentiments Concerning Workplace Greening
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-09) Khorommbi, Phumudzo; Moolla, Raeesa
    For centuries, people have continuously impacted the environment, resulting in an exponential rise in environmental problems and deterioration. In the quest to find solutions, business organisations have employed or tried to institute greening programmes, such as promoting waste at source and installing solar panels. However, it is essential for people, specifically in occupational settings, to see this as a need - for greening programmes to be effective. To this end, this study aimed to identify the elements that drive individuals to conduct environmentally responsible behaviours at work. This qualitative study collected data by administering surveys to research participants. Information related to eco-helping, eco-initiatives and eco-civic engagement was collected by administering surveys to local contractors at the PepsiCo site in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. The survey amassed 70 responses during October 2023. The study found that gender was an important indicator of pro-environmental behaviour, and that age affected a person’s inclination to act pro-environmentally. As this study relied on proclamations of good environmental intentions from participants, future studies should test this hypothesis in the field to quantify its success.