Towards Environmental Sustainability in Construction: Assessing and Advancing Lean-Green Practices in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Saudi Vision 2030 seeks to sustainably develop the construction industry, a major private sector employer and contributor to GDP, and an egregious polluter. This study aims to address vital challenges by exploring the adoption, integration, and implementation of Lean Green Construction Practice (LGCP) to green the construction sector and attain environmental sustainability targets. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 22 industry stakeholders (contractors, project managers, developers, and engineers) with 10–19 years’ experience in the sector were thematically analysed to understand LGCP adoption barriers and facilitators. Four key themes were identified (dubbed Transcendent Imitation, Obligatory Pressures, Normative Propagation, and Conceptual Realization), pertaining to global benchmarking of national and organizational practices, international regulatory framework adoption, professional standards development, and localised adoption of sustainable practices. This research contributes theoretically by combining institutional and innovation theories to conceptualise a dynamic model for LGCP adoption, focusing on the interaction between external (environmental) and internal (innovative) forces. Construction globalisation, through the lens of Transcendent Imitation and Normative Propagation, illuminates international practice localisation and institutionalisation, including in Saudi construction. Practically, the study proposes a compliance ecosystem aligning regulatory requirements with market incentives and sustainable business practices. Strategic recommendations include advanced technology adoption, ongoing training interventions, and industrial partnerships to accelerate sustainability adoption. The resultant adaptive and iterative LGCP framework specifically developed for the Saudi construction industry contributes to the attainment of Vision 2030 goals and is replicable for the construction industry globally. This research offers actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and academic scholars to pave the way for sustainable future of construction sector in Saudi Arabia by bridging key gaps in terms of environmental impact, resource efficiency and organizational readiness