Assessing green procurement practices in Nepal’s construction sector: challenges, perceptions, and pathways for adoption

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the status of green procurement (GP) practices in Nepal’s construction sector, identify stakeholder perceptions and barriers to its adoption and propose actionable recommendations to promote sustainable procurement aligned with Nepal’s environmental and developmental goals. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire surveys and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 62 stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors and procurement officials in Kathmandu Valley. Secondary data were sourced from literature and project documentation. Analytical methods included Bloom’s Cutoff, principal component analysis (PCA) and relative importance index (RII) to assess awareness, challenges and recommendations. Cronbach’s alpha (0.877) ensured data reliability, while Spearman’s rank correlation (ρ ≈ 0.393) evaluated differences in public and private sector perceptions. Findings GP in Nepal’s construction sector is in its early stages, with limited adoption (24% consistent application in public projects) driven primarily by donor-funded initiatives. Stakeholder awareness is moderate (59.7%), but understanding of benefits is low (38.7% below 60% awareness). PCA identified three key barriers: institutional and organizational limitations (e.g. weak management support), knowledge and resource gaps (e.g. low awareness, high perceived costs) and policy and governance issues (e.g. political interference). RII rankings prioritized training (0.826), clear guidelines (0.816) and compliance monitoring (0.810) as critical solutions. Public and private sectors show moderate alignment in priorities, with differences in emphasis on monitoring and environmental criteria. Social implications Promoting GP can enhance environmental sustainability, reduce resource depletion and align Nepal’s construction sector with global sustainability goals (e.g. sustainable development goal 12.7). By fostering eco-friendly practices, it supports healthier living environments and economic benefits through long-term cost savings, contributing to Nepal’s climate resilience and sustainable development objectives. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents one of the first comprehensive academic investigations into GP practices within Nepal’s construction sector, making a significant contribution by establishing an empirical baseline for a previously underexplored area. It fills a significant knowledge gap by providing a baseline for GP adoption, offering stakeholder-driven insights and proposing tailored recommendations. The findings serve as a foundation for policy reforms and future research on sustainable procurement in developing countries.