Hindering factors for green building construction in Turkey: a perspective from construction experts

Purpose Given its substantial impact on resource consumption and environmental concerns, the construction industry needs new approaches to develop sustainable solutions. Green buildings have emerged from the broader green transformation movement and embody this approach within the construction sector. However, significant barriers hinder the construction and widespread adoption of green buildings, a development necessary to achieve sustainability. This study aims to identify the factors impeding the construction and adoption of green buildings from the perspective of Turkish construction experts, with a focus on the construction phase and post-construction use. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a quantitative research design grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A questionnaire survey was administered to 68 construction experts working in Turkey’s first BREEAM-certified public administration building. Findings In Turkey, a developing country, the most significant factors hindering the construction of green buildings are awareness- and education-related factors, whereas the most significant factors preventing their adoption are individual factors. To overcome these barriers, it is recommended that comprehensive education and training programs be developed for both construction experts and end users. Originality/value This study’s novelty lies in applying the TPB to the context of GB barriers in a developing country. It links macro-level barriers (e.g. economic and political) with micro-level psychological constructs (attitudes, norms and control) that shape professional and user intentions, thus offering a new theoretical lens for the sustainable construction literature.