Abstract
The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, positioning green construction as a critical pathway for climate mitigation. However, adoption remains uneven in oil-producing developing countries, where economic dependence on hydrocarbons, weak institutional capacity, and market constraints continue to impede sustainability transitions. This study undertakes a comparative systematic review of barriers to green construction adoption in Nigeria, Angola, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Guided by PRISMA 2020 and CASP quality appraisal frameworks, peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2023 was systematically analysed. The findings reveal that financial constraints, regulatory fragmentation, limited technical capacity, and political economy resistance represent the most pervasive barriers across the three contexts. While Nigeria and Angola exhibit structural enforcement weaknesses and market immaturity, the UAE demonstrates stronger institutional alignment but faces concerns regarding symbolic compliance versus measurable impact. The study contributes a context-sensitive understanding of sustainability constraints in petro-states and highlights the need for integrated policy, fiscal incentives, and institutional reform to support low-carbon construction pathways in oil-dependent economies.