Integrating sustainability in design and construction for achieving SDGs: a comprehensive framework

Accounting for 34% of global energy consumption and 37% of carbon dioxide emissions, the construction industry plays a crucial role in both the challenges and solutions to sustainability, underscoring the need for whole-of-industry approach to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This research provides a comprehensive review of how sustainability objectives are integrated during construction life cycle to support the achievement of the SDGs. A systematic literature review was conducted, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including bibliometric and thematic analyses. Literature was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing on sustainable construction contracts, yielding 85 published journal papers. The study highlights an increase in sustainable construction research post-2018, focusing on project management, cleaner production, and renewable energy, aligning with SDGs 9, 11, and 12. The thematic content emphasises global engagement, especially across Asia, Europe, and America, and identifies six crucial sustainability dimensions, while highlighting gaps in integrating sustainability into design and construction phases. This research provides practical insights and identifies research gaps, particularly in structured guidelines and technological advancements.