IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i13p5814-d1686250.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Bridging Sustainability and Performance: Conceptualizing Net-Zero Integration in Construction Supply Chain Evaluations

Author

Listed:
  • Isuru Hettiarachchi

    (School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

  • James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi

    (School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

  • Wajiha Mohsin Shahzad

    (School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

  • Ravindu Kahandawa

    (School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

Abstract

The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, highlighting the need to align material supply chains with net-zero targets. Evaluating supply chain performance is essential for reducing emissions, enhancing resource efficiency, and supporting sustainable decision-making. However, there is a lack of comprehensive frameworks that integrate net-zero objectives into construction material supply chain evaluation. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework that embeds net-zero principles into supply chain performance evaluation within the construction sector. A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, covering 54 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2025. The review identifies key supply chain decarbonization performance indicators, tools, challenges, enablers, and improvement opportunities. The findings reveal the growing use of life cycle thinking, carbon accounting, and digitalization, shaped by policy, data access, technological readiness, and stakeholder coordination. The resulting framework integrates these factors to guide a structured, net-zero-aligned supply chain. This study contributes a novel and practical framework that addresses a critical gap by bridging digital tools, decarbonization metrics, and policy or organizational considerations. It offers theoretical insights and actionable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers pursuing climate-aligned construction supply chains.

Suggested Citation

  • Isuru Hettiarachchi & James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi & Wajiha Mohsin Shahzad & Ravindu Kahandawa, 2025. "Bridging Sustainability and Performance: Conceptualizing Net-Zero Integration in Construction Supply Chain Evaluations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5814-:d:1686250
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5814/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5814/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dalton, Tony & Dorignon, Louise & Boehme, Tillmann & Kempton, Leela & Iyer-Raniga, Usha & Oswald, David & Amirghasemi, Mehrdad & Moore, Trivess, 2023. "Building materials in a circular economy," SocArXiv uryxz_v1, Center for Open Science.
    2. David A. Finnie & Rehan Masood & Seth Goldsworthy & Benjamin Harding, 2024. "Embodied Carbon in New Zealand Commercial Construction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Hongyu Long & Hongyong Liu & Xingwei Li & Longjun Chen, 2020. "An Evolutionary Game Theory Study for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Considering Green Development Performance under the Chinese Government’s Reward–Penalty Mechanism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Ida Karlsson & Johan Rootzén & Alla Toktarova & Mikael Odenberger & Filip Johnsson & Lisa Göransson, 2020. "Roadmap for Decarbonization of the Building and Construction Industry—A Supply Chain Analysis Including Primary Production of Steel and Cement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-40, August.
    5. Li, Qingxiang & Long, Lingege & Li, Xinwei & Yang, Guidong & Bian, Chenhang & Zhao, Benyun & Chen, Xi & Chen, Ben M., 2025. "Life cycle cost analysis of circular photovoltaic façade in dense urban environment using 3D modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    6. Simona Marinelli & Maria Angela Butturi & Bianca Rimini & Rita Gamberini & Miguel Afonso Sellitto, 2021. "Estimating the Circularity Performance of an Emerging Industrial Symbiosis Network: The Case of Recycled Plastic Fibers in Reinforced Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-13, September.
    7. Wenfei Xia & Baizhou Li & Shi Yin, 2020. "A Prescription for Urban Sustainability Transitions in China: Innovative Partner Selection Management of Green Building Materials Industry in an Integrated Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-25, March.
    8. Aníbal Maury-Ramírez & Danny Illera-Perozo & Jaime A. Mesa, 2022. "Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: A Case Study of Santiago de Cali (Colombia)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Jonathan Kerr & Scott Rayburg & Melissa Neave & John Rodwell, 2022. "Comparative Analysis of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of Structural Stone, Concrete and Steel Construction Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-15, July.
    10. Iliassou Salou Nouhoun & Philbert Nshimiyimana & Césaire Hema & Adamah Messan, 2025. "Development of a Life Cycle Inventory Database for Environmental Impact Assessment of Construction Materials in Burkina Faso," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-35, January.
    11. Onat, Nuri Cihat & Kucukvar, Murat, 2020. "Carbon footprint of construction industry: A global review and supply chain analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    12. Hossain, Md. Uzzal & Poon, Chi Sun & Lo, Irene M.C. & Cheng, Jack C.P., 2016. "Comparative environmental evaluation of aggregate production from recycled waste materials and virgin sources by LCA," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 67-77.
    13. Liming Zhang & Wei Yang & Yuan Yuan & Rui Zhou, 2017. "An Integrated Carbon Policy-Based Interactive Strategy for Carbon Reduction and Economic Development in a Construction Material Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-15, November.
    14. Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Ben Amor & Pierre Blanchet, 2018. "Evaluating the Link between Low Carbon Reductions Strategies and Its Performance in the Context of Climate Change: A Carbon Footprint of a Wood-Frame Residential Building in Quebec, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-20, August.
    15. Shaikha Al-Nuaimi & Abdul-Aziz A. Banawi & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, 2019. "Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Analysis of Primary Construction Materials Sourcing under Geopolitical Uncertainties: A Case Study of Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-26, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Junwu Wang & Yinghui Song & Wei Wang & Suikuan Wang & Feng Guo & Jiequn Lu, 2022. "Marine Construction Waste Recycling Mechanism Considering Public Participation and Carbon Trading: A Study on Dynamic Modeling and Simulation Based on Sustainability Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. María Pilar de la Cruz López & Juan José Cartelle Barros & Alfredo del Caño Gochi & Manuel Lara Coira, 2021. "New Approach for Managing Sustainability in Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Nuri Cihan Kayaçetin & Chiara Piccardo & Alexis Versele, 2022. "Social Impact Assessment of Circular Construction: Case of Living Lab Ghent," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Wen-Hsien Tsai & Shang-Yu Lai & Chu-Lun Hsieh, 2023. "Exploring the impact of different carbon emission cost models on corporate profitability," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 322(1), pages 41-74, March.
    5. Maryam Hussain Abal-Seqan & Shaligram Pokharel & Khalid Kamal Naji, 2023. "Key Success Factors and Their Impact on the Performance of Construction Projects: Case in Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Anna Furberg & Rickard Arvidsson & Sverker Molander, 2022. "A practice‐based framework for defining functional units in comparative life cycle assessments of materials," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 718-730, June.
    7. Alberto Bezama & Jakob Hildebrandt & Daniela Thrän, 2021. "Integrating Regionalized Socioeconomic Considerations onto Life Cycle Assessment for Evaluating Bioeconomy Value Chains: A Case Study on Hybrid Wood–Concrete Ceiling Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Hang Yin & Yixiong Huang & Kuiming Wang, 2021. "How Do Environmental Concerns and Governance Performance Affect Public Environmental Participation: A Case Study of Waste Sorting in Urban China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Yi Tao & Ruisi Yang & Xiaopo Zhuo & Fan Wang & Xiao Yang, 2023. "Financing the capital-constrained online retailer with risk aversion: coordinating strategy analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 331(1), pages 321-349, December.
    10. Puxin Liu, 2023. "An assessment of financial mechanisms for green financial recovery and climate change mitigation: the case of China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1567-1584, June.
    11. Longfei He & Baiyun Yuan & Junsong Bian & Kin Keung Lai, 2023. "Differential game theoretic analysis of the dynamic emission abatement in low-carbon supply chains," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 324(1), pages 355-393, May.
    12. Wang, Jianliang & Liu, Mingming & McLellan, Benjamin C. & Tang, Xu & Feng, Lianyong, 2017. "Environmental impacts of shale gas development in China: A hybrid life cycle analysis," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 38-45.
    13. Hongmei Liu & Rong Guo & Junjie Tian & Honghao Sun & Yi Wang & Haiyan Li & Lu Yao, 2022. "Quantifying the Carbon Reduction Potential of Recycling Construction Waste Based on Life Cycle Assessment: A Case of Jiangsu Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.
    14. Charlotte Piayda & Annette Hafner & Sebastian Rüter, 2025. "A Review of Current Substitution Estimates for Buildings with Regard to the Impact on Their GHG Balance and Correlated Effects—A Systematic Comparison," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-27, September.
    15. Yuki Kinoshita & Takaki Nagao & Hiromasa Ijuin & Keisuke Nagasawa & Tetsuo Yamada & Surendra M. Gupta, 2023. "Utilization of Free Trade Agreements to Minimize Costs and Carbon Emissions in the Global Supply Chain for Sustainable Logistics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-21, June.
    16. Dingkun Xie & Jun Fang & Weihang Du & Junyi Zhu & Yaohui Xia & Hang Yan & Lixiong Cai, 2025. "Utilization of Solid Waste as Building Materials (USB): Review of Chinese Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-27, February.
    17. Maja Kępniak & Paweł Łukowski, 2024. "Multicriteria Analysis of Cement Mortar with Recycled Sand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-13, February.
    18. Daming You & Ke Jiang & Zhendong Li, 2018. "Optimal Coordination Strategy of Regional Vertical Emission Abatement Collaboration in a Low-Carbon Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    19. Bryce, James & Brodie, Stefanie & Parry, Tony & Lo Presti, Davide, 2017. "A systematic assessment of road pavement sustainability through a review of rating tools," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 108-118.
    20. Tian, Yihui & Ou, Lingjun & Guo, Jingwei & Chen, Zhen-Song & Chen, Zhaoxi, 2025. "A configuration of green and low-carbon strategy in clean energy economy: A perspective of supply chain management," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5814-:d:1686250. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.