Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research, 2020, 8, 217-235 https://www.scirp.org/journal/jbcpr ISSN Online: 2328-4897 ISSN Print: 2328-4889 DOI: 10.4236/jbcpr.2020.83014 Sep. 24, 2020 217 Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research A Cross-Sectional Study of Utilization of Green Building Rating Tools by Selected Professionals in the Zambian Building Industry Mutinta Sichali 1* , Mundia Muya 2 , Balimu Mwiya 2 1 Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia Abstract Green building rating tools used for planning and assessing the impact of buildings on the environment are continually revised in line with user needs. The appropriateness of tools for the Zambian building industry depends on whether the tools adequately meet minimum green buildings standards and the country’s environmental aspirations. The utilization of green building rating tools is important if Zambia is to achieve the real benefits of green buildings, however very little is known about the levels of utilization in Zam- bia. A cross-sectional study of 115 professionals from the building industry in Zambia was undertaken using a sequential mixed method approach, to inves- tigate the level of utilization, preferred criteria and, the barriers and drivers to the utilization of tools. The significance of the study was that it demonstrated the association between utilization of green building rating tools and envi- ronmental, technological, economic, and social green buildings practices by selected professionals in the Zambian building industry. There is a need to use materials and practices that are locally based and promote the local economy. The technical needs were met in tools, that were considered easy to use, interesting and comprehensive. Some of the green building rating tools were considered unsuitable due to the absence of appropriate criteria and the main economic challenge was the high cost of certification. The association was significant between utilization and those involved in a variety of projects than those who were involved in only residential buildings. Barriers to utili- zation were a lack of government regulations on green buildings designs and the high cost of certification. The drivers were environmental benefits, the interest of developers in green buildings, and having technical skills. The study recommends a review of the current building regulations to include green buildings practices and materials and adaptation of appropriate rating tools. How to cite this paper: Sichali, M., Muya, M. and Mwiya, B. (2020) A Cross-Sectional Study of Utilization of Green Building Rating Tools by Selected Professionals in the Zambian Building Industry. Journal of Building Construction and Planning Re- search, 8, 217-235. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbcpr.2020.83014 Received: August 4, 2020 Accepted: September 21, 2020 Published: September 24, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access