Towards Zero Carbon Buildings: Overcoming the Financial Constraints to the Adoption of Biogenic Building Materials

Introduction The adoption of biogenic building materials is an important step towards decarbonizing the construction industry. However, a number of constraints limit their wider adoption in the industry. Objective To determine and analyse the financial constraints (FC) to the adoption of biogenic building materials; examine how they relate to one another; and provide strategy for overcoming the constraints to promote wider utilization of the materials in building construction. Methods The data for the study was obtained using methodical review of related literature and expert-based survey while the results were analysed using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. Results The findings indicate that the most critical constraints with the strongest level of cause on other FC are high initial costs of materials (FC3), high design & production cost of the materials (FC4), lack of standardization & certification (FC7), difficulty in upscaling production (FC1), and limited access to capital and financing options (FC8). Conclusion This study contributes to advancing knowledge in sustainable construction practices by determining and understanding the specific financial constraints that impede the widespread adoption of biogenic building materials within the construction industry. By addressing these constraints, the study promotes sustainable practices within the construction sector, contributing to environmental conservation and resource efficiency.