The Transition toward Green Building in Libya: An Analysis of Stakeholder Perceptions and Influence Dynamics

Abstract

This study explores stakeholders’ perceptions regarding their relative influence on the adoption of green buildings in Libya, an emerging economy where sustainable construction practices remain limited. Amid growing global efforts to reduce emissions from the construction sector—particularly in response to climate change mitigation goals highlighted by the United Nations Environment Programme the dynamics shaping pathways toward green building transitions in fragile and transitional economies remain insufficiently examined. Drawing on stakeholder theory as articulated by R. Edward Freeman, the study adopts an exploratory quantitative approach based on survey data collected from 20 companies operating within the Libyan construction sector. Participants evaluated the perceived level of influence of five key actors: government authorities, clients/developers, designers, contractors, and academic institutions. The findings reveal a clear dominance of regulatory influence, with government authorities perceived as the primary driver of green building adoption. Clients ranked second, reflecting a moderate recognition of market demand. Designers and contractors occupied intermediate positions. In contrast, academic institutions received the lowest perceived level of influence, indicating a gap between knowledge production and professional practice. The results suggest that the transition toward green buildings in Libya follows a top-down institutional pattern, relying heavily on regulatory intervention rather than balanced multi-stakeholder engagement. The study provides empirical insight from an under-researched context and offers policy implications for strengthening stakeholder integration within sustainable construction governance.