The Role of Awareness in Sustainable Construction Materials Uptake in Developing Economies: Evidence From Nigeria

ABSTRACT Sustainable Construction Materials (SCM) are crucial for reducing lifecycle emissions in the built environment, yet their adoption remains limited in many developing economies, such as Nigeria. This study investigates how awareness influences the adoption of SCM among professionals in Nigeria's Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Analyzing 257 survey responses through Exploratory Factor Analysis and PLS‐SEM. Awareness significantly predicts adoption ( β = 0.447, p < 0.001), with a medium effect size ( f 2 = 0.258). Conversely, factors such as profession, company size, and years of experience do not significantly predict adoption, indicating systemic barriers outweigh demographic influences. The model explains 24.2% of the variance in adoption, highlighting an awareness‐action gap driven by economic, regulatory, and supply chain challenges. The findings emphasize the need for integrated strategies that combine awareness, enforceable regulations, financial incentives, and local supply chain development to promote sustainable material adoption and low‐carbon transitions in developing regions.