1. Introduction
The concept of sustainable construction has been gaining traction in recent years as nations worldwide strive to reduce their carbon footprints and balance the utilization of resources. Iraq is no exception to this trend, and has made significant investments in sustainable construction projects in recent years. However, Iraq has a long history of construction activities, and is currently undergoing a period of rapid construction-led development. The construction industry is essential in meeting the demands and needs of any society and improving the quality of life of the population [
1]. Furthermore, more than 40% of the world’s energy is consumed by the building industry, which also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions [
2]. Therefore, the construction industry has been identified as one of the sectors with a substantially negative environmental impact [
3]. So, authorities and construction specialists need to focus on improving construction techniques to reduce the negative impact of construction activities on the environment, economy, and society at large [
4]. To address these issues, there is also a need to understand the construction market and explore new solutions to ensure sustainability in the construction process [
5].
Globally, the construction industry uses 40% of all energy produced and 40% of all raw materials, while accounting for 16% of total water usage and 4% of natural resource extraction in industrialized countries [
6]. In addition, the construction industry is responsible for 35% of worldwide CO
2 emissions [
7,
8] and 45% to 65% of waste [
9]. As such, the construction industry negatively impacts the economy and environment [
6]. Furthermore, the construction industry and its related processes are responsible for substantial emissions of harmful substances, accounting for around 30% of the greenhouse gases emitted globally due to the various operations occurring throughout the construction process, while transportation and the processing of materials account for 18% of emissions [
9,
10,
11].
The average CO
2 emissions per ton of cement in the Middle East and North Africa region is 35% higher than the global average, accounting for 0.5 percent of total global CO
2 emissions [
12].
These effects of the construction industry on the environment are severe and alarming. The new idea of “green buildings” has emerged to solve these problems and reduce their effects. The sustainable construction concept is centered on reducing the environmental impact by using environmentally friendly resources to improve the built environment and use new techniques that reduce waste and save energy. Sustainable construction, or green construction, is simply the development and use of cleaner and more resource-efficient construction processes through resource restoration in operation, maintenance, and demolition [
13]. As a result, this approach encourages the formation of a cleaner and more environmentally friendly atmosphere and it is carried out with the maximum level of collaboration between the design team, constructors, engineers, and owners throughout the construction project.
Thus, because of the growing need for more sustainable buildings, sustainable construction principles and practices have intrigued construction researchers [
2,
3,
14]. At the same time, several studies on sustainable construction in developed countries have been carried out [
6,
7,
15]. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies in developing countries, especially in the Middle East [
3,
16]. In Kuwait, they focus on ranking factors without providing a recommendation to construction stakeholders in order to implement sustainable construction projects [
3].
Moreover, further study is needed to help policymakers and other construction stakeholders in overcoming various barriers while implementing a sustainable construction project. Therefore, there is a need to identify these barriers to successfully implement sustainable construction in the Iraqi construction industry [
17]. This study will provide a “roadmap” that stakeholders (project owners and contractors) can follow to overcome the barriers and adopt sustainability in the construction industry.
3. Research Method
This study adopted a mixed-methods approach. The research started with a comprehensive literature review on sustainable construction project implementation, which identified 17 barriers, as presented in
Table 1. Then, a conceptual model was developed using the summarized and reviewed literature to create theories (hypotheses), which were tested by the empirical test [
35]. There are three stages to processing the conceptual model: (1) Identifying the constructs; (2) Grouping these constructs; and (3) Specifying the relationships between the constructs [
36].
A questionnaire survey was also adopted at the pilot study stage. The questionnaire was designed in three parts. The first part was about the profile of the respondents; the second part was about barriers to implementing sustainable construction projects, and the third part was about the project and the effect of barriers on implementing sustainable projects. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, and 150 responses were received. The response rate was 75%, which is an acceptable rate, as mentioned by some researchers [
37,
38]. However, the survey contains 50 incomplete responses. It is important to note that this research focuses on the construction industry in Iraq. Hence, the research was conducted in Iraq’s main cities (Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil). The respondents were clients/developers, contractors, consultants, project managers, and site engineers from private and public construction organizations with varied backgrounds and experience [
39].
The study’s sample size was determined, and stratified sampling was chosen because of some security concerns in Iraq. However, many studies considered stratified sampling an effective method to measure the barriers in the construction sector and many other industries [
40]. According to Buniya et al. [
41], stratified random sampling will help generate various experimental cells containing managers and construction workers from different owners and contractors in a way that accurately represents the targeted population. Stratified random sampling is also a reasonable statistical method adopted in evaluating construction safety factors due to the diverse nature of construction projects [
42].
Data Analysis Method
The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v 23.0 for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability tests. Then, the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was also used to test the hypotheses and research model. Amaratunga et al. [
43] stated that SEM helps address the issue of variable errors. In addition, this technique is used to generalize the complex decision-making process [
44,
45]. Finally, the research model, which contained reflective and formative variables, was designed. The measurement model includes the latent construct (reflective variables). The structural model includes the measurement model’s latent (formative variables) to examine the relationships between safety program implementation and project success [
46,
47].
5. Discussion
There is an urgent need to provide sustainability to construction projects to survive the fierce competition and reduce the negative environmental impact [
50]. Sustainability has received attention in recent decades in a variety of fields and strategies. This is a significant issue because the buildings and construction sector contributes to almost 39% of global CO
2 emissions and 36% of the world’s energy usage [
51]. Despite these facts, however, the integration of sustainability into project management techniques for construction has been extremely slow, with results that are not particularly satisfactory, especially in developing countries. This is the result of obstacles that have complicated mainstream sustainable construction project practices.
The immediate attention of the construction industry’s stakeholders may seek to identify and control the barriers. The present research classified the various barriers into four groups; the most impactful effect was the economic factor, with 0.441, the second was knowledge, with 0.406, the third was labor/staff, with 0.317, and the government was last, with 0.244 effects on the sustainability of construction projects. The identified barriers may require massive resource allocation from the top management and financial help from the government [
52]. Apart from the economic and government barriers, the knowledge barriers may also be removed by undergoing the knowledge management induction plan [
52]. A systematic, planned strategy by the top management may help remove the knowledge barrier. State-of-the-art knowledge induction and regular training for employees will be required to break the barriers [
3]. Once the barriers under the four main groups are overcome, they may help in the integration of sustainable practices into building project management. Developing countries, such as Iraq, which face scarce resources, must obtain remedial strategies to tackle the barriers that can help the project management team provide much-needed sustainability [
14]. The government may provide incentives and promote the in-need construction sector to help provide sustainable procurement under sustainable practices that follow codes and regulations [
53]. The systematic planning and enforcement plan may also help with smooth enforcement.
The economic condition of the construction sector may be affected by the higher economic factor of sustainable building options. The long payment cycle and the lack of financial incentives need to be prioritized for the fulfillment of financial needs [
53]. The knowledge management plan needs to be actively implemented by top management, who need to review their strategies, make the stakeholders aware of the newly devised strategy to induct greener suppliers, and provide a broad understanding of knowledge [
2]. The management needs to plan more systematic training to replace the traditional learning approach by providing new knowledge. The top management may plan and encourage the use of recyclable and renewable resources and the reuse of materials to reduce the amount of waste that is dumped in landfills. Additionally, the top management can use technology transfer to overcome these barriers [
54,
55].
5.1. Managerial Implications
Rearranging the barriers to the adoption of sustainable practices can assist in creating a “roadmap” that stakeholders (project owners and contractors) can follow to overcome barriers and adopt sustainability in the construction industry. This reorganization may also result in the establishment of standards for a practical framework for the effective transformation of those who participate in construction through sustainable phases and activities. The findings of the study will assist Iraq in moving closer to its goal of developing a prosperous, environmentally sustainable economy capable of successfully competing in global markets. The results of this study may also serve as motivation for other developing countries to adopt sustainable building practices [
48]. However, this study significantly contributes to and has significant effects on the construction industry in the following ways:
- -
By providing a database of linked aspects along with sustainability criteria to assist businesses in determining how to remain competitive and successful in a global market;
- -
It assists owners, consultants, and contractors in evaluating and deciding on sustainable practices to improve the consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness of construction projects;
- -
It provides empirical evidence that may assist Iraq and other developing countries in implementing sustainability by significantly reducing barriers;
- -
The findings of this study can help Iraqi construction become more environmentally friendly in the future. According to our research, sustainability initiatives are put in place to cut down on wasteful spending and make sure that resources are distributed fairly among various projects. This allows all project participants to focus on the project’s budget, schedule, and ability to accomplish its objectives. There are long-term benefits that come from completing a project with a high degree of success;
- -
The results of this study can also be used as a benchmark for measuring the success of future initiatives and as a road map for reducing the challenges involved in their execution. The various factors identified include, project costs, completing projects on time, and ambiguous requirements. The results of this study may also be used by managers and business owners to better understand how incorporating sustainable practices may help their initiatives succeed.
5.2. Theory Implication
The sustainable concept is important and plays a vital role in many businesses [
56]. The recommended prioritization is one way of circumventing barriers to implementing sustainable concepts. This study suggests a new approach to placing sustainability policies into practice to overcome these challenges. Understanding barriers to sustainable construction practices can help resolve the challenges of effectively introducing these practices in Iraqi construction projects. Additionally, this study can help this sector shrink the gap between practices and sustainable theory. However, there is a lack of studies that examine the impact of the barriers to sustainability in Iraqi construction projects empirically by using SEM. Future studies in construction can use these data to investigate and solve the challenges in other developing countries.
7. Conclusions
Iraq faces an array of complex challenges that must be addressed for the full potential of sustainable construction to be realized. This study has identified 17 barriers to sustainable construction project implementation in Iraq. These barriers range from a lack of awareness, education, and training to financial and economic issues, a lack of regulations and policy support, and cultural and social attitudes. The study also provides an in-depth analysis of the barriers hindering sustainable construction project implementation in Iraq. The results reveal the numerous challenges that impede the development and execution of sustainable construction projects. Thus, to ensure sustainable construction practices in Iraq, addressing these barriers and developing appropriate strategies and solutions to overcome them is essential. Several strategies were suggested to overcome these barriers through collaborative and strategic partnerships with policymakers, the private sector, and other stakeholders to enhance the capacity-building of local communities, establish clear regulations and standards, and increase investment in sustainable construction projects. In addition, the government must develop comprehensive policies, regulations, and guidelines to promote sustainable construction practices in the country. Furthermore, there is a need to enhance public awareness and education programs on sustainable construction practices and their benefits. As such, urgent action is required to promote awareness, invest in education and training, create enabling policies, provide funding, and enhance access to technologies and resources. If these recommendations are implemented, Iraq can achieve a more sustainable construction industry and contribute to global efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. It is also essential to carry out further studies that explore integrating new technologies, innovative financing mechanisms, and public and private partnership models to overcome the identified barriers and facilitate the growth of sustainable construction practices in Iraq. Finally, a collaboration between different stakeholders, including the government, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector, is required to create a sustainable future for Iraq. By overcoming these barriers, Iraq can take significant strides towards achieving sustainable construction practices in the region and improving the well-being of its citizens. This study provides a valuable reference for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to promote sustainable construction in Iraq and other developing countries. Future studies may be conducted to evaluate and rank the barriers to sustainable construction implementation. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM)-based approaches may be used for relationship modeling. The relationship between various group constructs based on their hierarchy may be derived using the analytical hierarchy approach (AHP), and non-hierarchical relationships may be derived using the analytical hierarchy process (ANP). Various MCDM approaches in a fuzzy environment may also be applied to remove the persisting vagueness of decision-making.