Financial Capacity Needs of Built Professionals in Delivering Environmentally Sustainable Buildings (ESBs) in Ghana

<p dir="ltr"><i>This study addresses critical financial barriers hindering the adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Buildings (ESBs) in Ghana's construction sector. While technical aspects of sustainable construction have been extensively studied, financial capacity gaps among built environment professionals remain a significant but under-researched obstacle. Through a quantitative investigation of 100 construction professionals across Ghana's primary construction hubs (Greater Accra and Ashanti regions), we identify key financial capacity needs using factor analysis (KMO=0.842) and descriptive statistics. Our findings reveal that 72.28% of financial capacity variance stems from four dimensions: (1) State support mechanisms (43.94% variance), particularly government funding (loading=0.857) and tax incentives (0.742); (2) Industry financing solutions (11.63%) including green loans (0.811); (3) Organizational financial capabilities (9.06%); and (4) Market-based instruments (7.65%). Notably, 78% of professionals cited limited access to green financing as the primary constraint, while 85% emphasized needing specialized training in sustainable project economics. The study makes three key contributions: empirical evidence of financial capacity gaps at multiple levels (state, industry, organizational), a validated framework for developing targeted financial interventions, including policy recommendations for national green financing programs, and practical strategies for construction firms to enhance the financial management of ESB projects. These findings have immediate implications for policymakers developing Ghana's green building incentives, financial institutions designing construction-sector products, and professional associations planning capacity-building initiatives. The research also provides transferable insights for other developing nations facing similar sustainable construction financing challenges. By addressing these financial capacity needs, Ghana can accelerate its transition to environmentally sustainable construction practices while maintaining economic growth.</i></p>