Integrating Energy-Efficient Practices in Construction Project Management: Overcoming Barriers

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) construction industry faces considerable challenges when implementing energy-efficient practices due to extreme climatic conditions, fragmented regulations, financial limitations, cultural resistance, high initial costs, and limited access to green technology financing. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes strengthening regulatory frameworks, standardizing energy-efficiency criteria, and equitably distributing policy initiatives. Subsidies, tax incentives, and green bonds are essential to achieving these steps. The GCC’s energy-efficient transition can be facilitated through the use of smart buildings, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the adoption of advanced building materials. Creating awareness and educating stakeholders will promote sustainable ecosystems. The incorporation of energy efficiency in design, planning, and construction requires good project management skills. Through strategic planning, the GCC can minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby aligning with national sustainability goals, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Green Growth Strategy, as well as global sustainability objectives.