analysis.

The construction industry plays a major role in meeting social needs and improving quality of life. In addition, buildings consume a significant amount of energy during construction and throughout their life cycle, causing negative environmental impacts [1]. The emergence of green building theory offers a solution to this issue and has been recognized as a preferred approach for development in the construction industry [2]. A green building refers to a structure designed to minimize its impact on the natural environment while maximizing the use of renewable resources throughout its lifecycle, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. Green buildings enhance health, safety, comfort, and environmental awareness. They have become a competitive alternative to conventional buildings since they consume 35-40% less energy, incur lower operational costs, and provide a healthier and more efficient living environment [3].

Achieving sustainable green building design is essential for reducing environmental impacts and increasing energy efficiency. This involves the use of eco-friendly materials, improving indoor environmental quality, conserving resources, and promoting waste and consumption reduction measures [4]. Evaluating and assessing green buildings is crucial for advancing sustainable development. As noted, residential buildings consume a significant portion of energy, land, and natural materials, contributing to environmental pollution. Energy consumption in Iran has been increasing exponentially, with a 270% rise over the past two decades. One fundamental solution for reducing fossil fuel usage, land consumption, and natural material extraction is the implementation of green buildings. Green buildings reduce the use of natural sand and soil and are often constructed using fine industrial and mining waste materials. Unfortunately, unlike many other countries, Iran currently lacks localized green building standards [5]. Therefore, developing a comprehensive and localized evaluation system within the framework of green building indicators in Iran is a crucial necessity. This research was conducted to achieve this objective by identifying key factors influencing green buildings, discussed in the following sections.

This is an applied study in terms of purpose and a survey one in nature. The statistical population consists of experts from Simin Stone Façade Construction Company. Using a purposive sampling method, ten experts with over ten years of experience in construction, holding positions as project managers, site supervisors, and building engineers, were selected. To achieve the research objectives, fuzzy Delphi [9], [10], fuzzy DANP, and IPA techniques [11] were employed. The fuzzy Delphi method was used to confirm and localize the research criteria, the fuzzy DANP method was applied to assess influence and dependence relationships and determine the importance of factors, and the IPA method was utilized to evaluate the criteria for organizational focus.

In this section, the fuzzy Delphi method was employed to validate the research factors. Initially, the criteria and sub-criteria influencing the successful implementation of green buildings, extracted from the research background, were presented to experts for scoring based on the scale in Table 4. Experts were also asked to suggest any additional criteria they considered relevant. Then, using the fuzzy Delphi method, all factors were confirmed, and three additional criteria were identified and validated by the experts.

Based on the results of the fuzzy DANP method, presented in Table 7 and Table 8, among the main criteria, energy consumption (B) has a causal and influential nature, while the other three criteria –environmental benefits (A), resource utilization (C), and economic benefits (D)– are effect criteria with dependent characteristics. Among the sub-criteria, the use of renewable energy (B1), exhaust gas emissions (A1), and optimized energy costs (B2) are classified as causal factors with higher influence. On the other hand, the material recycling rate (C2), construction noise (A3), and resilience to natural disasters (D1) are categorized as effect factors with higher dependency. Moreover, based on the D+R and D-R values, the network relationship map of the criteria was drawn, as shown in Fig. 1. Criteria above the horizontal axis have a causal nature, while those below the axis are dependent factors. Waste generation (A2) was identified as the most interconnected criterion with other research factors. Besides, Table 7 presents the final weight of the criteria. Among the main criteria, environmental benefits ranked first with a weight of 0.2978, followed by resource utilization at 0.2865, economic benefits at 0.2233, and energy consumption at 0.1924. Among the sub-criteria, resilience to natural disasters ranked first with a weight of 0.1547, followed by the material recycling rate at 0.1296, and construction noise at 0.105.

Next, the research factors were analyzed by the IPA method. Accordingly, 12 sub-criteria were presented to experts, who assessed the current performance of building construction for each criterion on a scale of 1 to 5. The geometric mean of the scores was then calculated, and based on the obtained values, the IPA matrix was drawn, as shown in Fig. 3. The following sections provide an analysis of the matrix.

Quadrant 1 (focus here): the waste generation criterion (A2) falls into this quadrant. It is considered highly important by respondents; however, its performance level is relatively low. This quadrant indicates a fundamental weakness within the organization that requires immediate attention for improvement. In fact, efforts to enhance this area should be given the highest priority, as it represents a critical deficiency.

Quadrant 2 (keep up the good work): the criteria of construction noise (A3), material recycling rate (C2), durability and longevity of materials (C3), and resilience to natural disasters (D1) are located in this quadrant. These criteria are highly important to respondents, and at the same time, the organization’s performance in these areas is at its highest level. Therefore, this positive trend should be maintained and continued. This quadrant represents the organization’s key strengths, which must be preserved.

Quadrant 3 (low priority): the criteria of exhaust gas emissions (A1), use of renewable energy (B1), use of natural light (B3), and use of environmentally friendly materials and equipment (C1) fall into this quadrant. They are rated low in both importance and performance. Although the performance level is low in this area, managers should not focus excessively on it, as these criteria are not highly significant. Limited resources should be allocated here.

Quadrant 4 (waste of resources): the criteria of indoor health quality (A4), optimized energy cost (B2), and environmental costs of construction (D2) belong to this quadrant. They hold low importance but exhibit relatively high performance. Respondents are satisfied with the organization’s performance in these areas; however, managers should recognize that current efforts toward these criteria are unnecessary and excessive. In other words, the resources allocated to these criteria exceed the required amount and should be redirected elsewhere.

In recent decades, the focus on sustainable construction and the application of green building principles has grown significantly due to their environmental, economic, and social implications. In this context, identifying the key success factors in implementing green buildings can enhance construction quality, optimize resource consumption, and mitigate environmental pollution. This study, employing a hybrid approach of fuzzy Delphi, fuzzy DANP, and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), delves into these critical factors. The findings reveal that the successful execution of green buildings is shaped by four primary criteria: environmental benefits, energy consumption, resource utilization, and economic advantages. Moreover, the fuzzy DANP method establishes energy consumption as the most influential factor affecting other criteria, while waste generation emerges as the most interconnected variable within the system.

One of the most important findings of the current study is the key role of environmental and economic criteria in the success of green construction projects. The IPA results revealed that some criteria, such as waste generation, require immediate attention and performance improvement, while others, such as resilience to natural disasters and material recycling rates, have satisfactory performance and should be maintained. These findings highlight the necessity of focusing on critical criteria and developing strategies to mitigate environmental impacts. In this regard, it is recommended that policymakers and construction project managers develop and implement strategies to reduce waste generation, optimize energy consumption, and increase the material recycling rate.

Moreover, the research results indicate that several challenges hinder the implementation of green buildings in Iran, including the lack of local standards, insufficient financial and policy support, and the high cost of sustainable materials. These issues may reduce the willingness of investors and developers to execute green projects. Thus, it is crucial for the government and relevant institutions to develop incentive and support policies for green building development. Providing financial facilities, formulating national standards and offering specialized training to engineers and construction professionals, as well as advancing innovative technologies in this field can play a significant role in promoting green buildings.

Overall, this study provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating and prioritizing the factors influencing green buildings, serving as a practical guide for policymakers, researchers, and construction industry professionals. Future research is recommended to explore the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) on the successful implementation of green buildings. Moreover, conducting comparative studies between Iran and other countries could help identify successful models and develop suitable localized strategies.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

All data are included in the text.

This research received no specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.