Work

Ecological Awareness and Behavioral Intentions Toward Sustainable Building Materials in Poland: Evidence from a Multi-Wave Nationwide Survey

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Achieving climate neutrality in construction requires more than available low-carbon technologies; it also depends on informed demand and consumers’ willingness to adopt sustainable materials. This paper examines ecological awareness, attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward eco-friendly building materials in Poland, using four independent waves of a nationwide online survey (CAWI) conducted in 2023 and 2025 (N ≈ 1000 per wave; adults aged 18–80). The questionnaires measured environmental awareness; willingness to pay a price premium (WTP) for properties built with eco-materials; actual purchasing behavior during renovations; support for regulations mandating developers’ use of ecological materials; and key socio-demographic factors. While the results confirm a pronounced attitude–behavior gap, the article details the research design and analytical approach, reports awareness, attitudes, and WTP across waves and subgroups, and discusses implications for “soft” interventions (e.g., norms, information, defaults) that can complement regulatory frameworks and financial incentives. It concludes with limitations and practical recommendations for policymakers, industry, and civil society to accelerate the adoption of low-emission materials.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18010102

Authors: Bartosz Dendura, Anna Porębska

Institution: Cracow University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Sustainable Building Design and Assessment

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896