A Decision-Making Model for Implementing Green Technology in Sustainable Building Projects

Green technology (GT) adoption is pivotal for reconciling environmental stewardship with economic viability in the built environment, particularly in resource-constrained emerging economies. However, empirical evidence on how specific GT drivers actively mitigate adoption barriers remains scarce. Addressing this gap, this study empirically investigates how key GT drivers mitigate critical barriers to adoption in Nigeria's construction sector, a representative emerging economy, and presents the first partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis in this setting that tests driver–barrier dynamics through the lens of the Global–Local Context (GLC) framework. Drawing on survey data from 105 construction professionals, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified five barrier constructs, sustainability factors, business factors, procurement factors, implementation challenges, and design integration issues, and five driver constructs, sustainable design and resource efficiency, external factors, strategic performance, personal values, and operational factors. The subsequent PLS-SEM model demonstrated strong explanatory power (R² = 0.563), confirming that GT drivers make a significant contribution to overcoming adoption barriers. Notably, sustainable design and resource efficiency emerged as the most influential driver (β = 0.560), underscoring the importance of integrating green design principles early in the design process to facilitate green transitions. By contextualizing global sustainability imperatives, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, within Nigeria's institutional and operational realities, this study offers a transferable, mechanism-based framework for accelerating GT diffusion across similar developing contexts. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and project teams seeking to align green innovation with local capacity, enhance project performance, and accelerate progress toward sustainable development.