Learning from a failed project–challenges of implementing ‘green’ technology in a real world setting

Abstract

Sustainable development goals are defined at various institutional and organisational levels, and generate numerous ‘green’ technology projects. Most research concerns successful projects, and good examples are put forward for others to learn from. However, to pave the way for sustainability in practice, more knowledge is needed about the failed projects–what, or who, obstructs the realisation of ecologically motivated projects? This study explores, from a time-geographical perspective, a failed project concerning the introduction of individual metering and debiting of hot tap water in rented flats in Sweden. The study is based on interviews with key persons, observations and documents. The results underline the importance of acknowledging all project constraints and their interrelationship in an implementation process to explain project failure, being of an economic, political, social, cultural, technical, physical or legislative nature. Put into local contexts, similar ‘green technology’ will have different connotations and will have to deal with place-specific constraints. The project owner’s possibility to control and overcome local constraints will determine if the project will succeed or fail.