From awareness to action: a study of the effectiveness of environmental economic practices for sustainable construction in Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which environmental economic practices are recognized and implemented in developing countries, with a specific emphasis on the Nigerian construction sector.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the extent of awareness and usage, a quantitative research approach was adopted with close-ended questionnaires disseminated to construction professionals in Nigeria. The collected data were subjected to analysis using various statistical techniques such as percentages, frequencies and mean scores. Furthermore, to investigate any significant differences in the respondents' opinions, the Kruskal–Wallis H-test was applied.FindingsThe study's findings indicate that the level of awareness and implementation of environmental economic practices among construction professionals in Nigeria is limited. Based on the findings of this study, a roadmap of recommendations has been proposed to promote the adoption of environmental economic practices in the Nigerian construction industry. The implementation of these recommendations can help reduce the negative impact of construction activities on the environment and public health and contribute to the development of sustainable cities, communities and societies.Practical implicationsThe outcomes from this study can inform policy and decision-making by providing insights into the level of knowledge and awareness of environmental economic practices among construction professionals in Nigeria.Originality/valueThe findings from this study provide a baseline for assessing the level of knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices among construction professionals in Nigeria, which can inform future studies on the effectiveness of training and awareness programs.