Identifying and Overcoming Cost Barriers to Sustainable Construction in Johor Bahru

The construction industry increasingly recognises sustainable construction as a series of activities aimed at integrating eco-friendly resources into building processes to achieve environmental sustainability. Despite its potential, adoption remains constrained by various challenges. This study seeks to identify cost-related barriers to sustainable construction and recommend strategies to address them. A quantitative approach was employed, involving the distribution of questionnaires to targeted respondents within the Johor Bahru construction sector. Feedback was obtained from 63 participants, highlighting perspectives on the benefits, cost barriers, and potential solutions. The findings highlight key benefits of sustainable construction, including reduced utility costs and improved energy efficiency. The significant barriers include perceived risks, high initial investment costs, limited capital, and lack of professional expertise. Respondents also indicated that increased government investment is a crucial measure to overcome these challenges. The study concludes that addressing these barriers is essential for advancing sustainable construction practices in Johor Bahru and fostering broader adoption within Malaysia’s construction industry.