Sustainable construction is fundamentally different than traditional construction because it requires whole systems thinking, early collaboration across stakeholders, and core principles like reducing resource consumption, eliminating toxins, and applying life cycle costing. Construction professionals unfamiliar with this mindset and approach may perceive sustainable construction as risky. One of the global regions in need of more sustainable construction is the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. The MENA region is one of the fastest developing in the world. However, it is the slowest one in implementing sustainable construction practices. Kuwait, in particular, contributes 53% more carbon emissions per capita than the United States. To understand how the Kuwaiti construction industry perceives risks associated with more sustainable construction, a survey was developed with 52 risk elements in which 131 industry professionals responded. The results indicate that industry professionals perceive a lack of public awareness as the risk element with the highest probability of occurrence. The risk element with the highest possible negative impact on future projects is designers' and contractors' inexperience with sustainable construction. Other risks were found to include a high initial cost for materials and overall project costs. Educational interventions, changes in risk allocation, and behavioral science to reframe upfront costs as long-term savings are offered as possible solutions.

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To better meet global sustainable development goals will require more focus on Arab countries like Kuwait, which contribute one and a half times more global greenhouse gas emissions per capita than the United States. Buildings contribute more than half of these emissions. Rating systems like LEED and BREEAM can help reduce energy emissions from buildings globally when used during construction, but these rating systems are not entirely applicable to Kuwait as they are not tailored for its geographic climate and social context, and there is currently no rating system tailored for energy efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings. The research presented in this paper measures the industry's perceptions about sustainable design and construction practices in Kuwait. A synthesized list of sustainable design and construction principles were developed from the six most common rating systems globally that are currently being used in the Arab region. Construction professionals ( n = 131) from Kuwait were asked in a qualitative survey which sustainable design principles and construction practices are the most applicable but are not being implemented. The majority of professionals responded that sustainable practices related to water use reduction and renewable energy sources are most applicable but are not currently being implemented. They also responded that sustainable practices related to bicycle facilities, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting are not applicable but are currently being implemented. The lack of training and limited awareness of the benefits of sustainable design and construction may be contributing to the lack of sustainable practices. As a whole, professionals in Kuwait appear to undervalue sustainable design and construction practices that promote environmental sustainability. This study provides a benchmark, indicating a lack of shared viewpoints and illustrates the need for more common objectives and the need for training among design and construction professionals in the region.

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