Advancing sustainable construction and energy management: A scientific evolution analysis

Abstract The construction sector remains one of the most resource‐ and carbon‐intensive industries worldwide, driving the need for sustainable transformation through material innovation, digital optimization, and effective governance. Despite significant research progress, fragmentation across these domains continues to limit systemic impact. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric‐assisted review of 1232 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2015 and 2024 to map the intellectual structure and evolution of sustainable construction and energy management research. Using VOSviewer for co‐authorship, citation, and keyword co‐occurrence analyses, the study identifies three dominant thematic clusters: (i) Barriers and Strategic Frameworks for Energy Transition, (ii) Material and Waste‐Based Environmental Impact, and (iii) Digital Tools and Optimization in Green Building Design. The results reveal that while material and digital innovations are advancing rapidly, their integration with policy and socio‐behavioral frameworks remains weak, constraining large‐scale implementation. Emerging trends highlight the growing convergence of circular economy, BIM–LCA interoperability, and AI‐assisted optimization, yet the absence of harmonized data standards and regulatory interoperability prevents these technologies from achieving measurable sustainability outcomes. To address this gap, the study proposes an integrative framework that links governance, digitalization, and material innovation through data‐driven verification mechanisms, promoting transparent and actionable pathways toward net‐zero construction.