Challenging factors across industry players in implementing the green building concept in Malaysia

Abstract This study examines the obstacles to implementing the green building concept in Greater Kuala Lumpur, a relatively novel concept in Malaysia. The country currently lacks awareness regarding existing green building technologies. In 2007, a Zero Energy Building in Kuala Lumpur, constructed based on the Green Building Concept, faced challenges, ultimately unable to effectively reduce energy consumption after three years of efforts. The research focuses on evaluating internal factors and external factors that pose challenges to the Green Building Concept among industry players in Greater Kuala Lumpur. The study involved 100 respondents in the property and construction field, utilizing a cluster sampling technique. Survey results revealed that both external and internal factors act as barriers to the implementation of the green building industry in Malaysia. The Relative Important Index identified high cost and pricing factors as significant external challenges, with relative importance indices of 0.946 and 0.936, respectively. Internally, the lack of consumer demand emerged as the most formidable obstacle, boasting a high relative importance index of 0.936. Additionally, the study highlighted the lack of incentive support as a notable internal factor, with a relative importance index of 0.934. To address these challenges, the study recommends collective responsibility among all stakeholders in the property and construction industry, including architects, property agents, the government, universities, and clients. Establishing a collaborative ecosystem can foster the growth of the green building industry in Malaysia, promoting sustainability and contributing to economic development.