Beyond policy change: The complexity of transitioning to alternative building materials in informal settlements

Abstract

As the global discourse surrounding climate change and the adoption of renewable energy sources gains momentum, governments worldwide are implementing policies aligned with the sustainable development agenda. Given that the built environment is estimated to contribute 39% of total global carbon emissions (World Green Building Council, 2019), governments are formulating measures aimed at transitioning from carbon-intensive materials such as concrete to environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable green building materials (Robichaud and Anantatmula, 2011). However, due to the diverse economic, environmental, social, and historical contexts of different countries,