The construction sector faces an unprecedented paradox. Global construction spending is projected to surge from $13 trillion to $22 trillion between 2023 and 2040, according to a 2024 analysis by McKinsey & Company. Yet the industry must simultaneously slash its carbon footprint while meeting this explosive demand.
This tension is creating a new breed of construction professionals who understand both the business of building and the science of sustainability. The Lamar University online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Construction Project Management program prepares graduates to lead in organizations where environmental responsibility drives competitive advantage.
Why the Industry Cannot Afford to Ignore Sustainability Anymore
The construction and buildings sector accounts for 39% of global carbon emissions and consumes 36% of the world’s total energy, according to research from Neuroject. The environmental impact extends beyond operational energy use to embodied carbon — the greenhouse gases released during material extraction, transportation, construction and eventual demolition.
Regulatory frameworks are tightening worldwide. California’s Buy Clean Act now requires Environmental Product Declarations for materials used in state building projects. Vancouver unveiled its Zero Emissions Building Plan with targets to achieve zero emissions in all new buildings by 2030. Economic forces are accelerating this transformation as well. ESG-invested funds are projected to surpass $50 trillion by 2025 per McKinsey & Company research.
The Role of Sustainable Construction Professionals: What Do They Do?
Professionals in sustainable construction coordinate projects that minimize environmental impact throughout a building’s lifecycle. They prepare carbon-focused cost estimates, interpret technical environmental data for project teams, collaborate with architects and engineers on low-carbon design approaches and ensure projects comply with evolving green building codes.
With new technologies rapidly emerging, sustainable construction professionals must understand both the technical capabilities and business impact of implementation. This need has created a range of new career pathways and specialized roles for professionals in the field, such as:
- Green building consultants: Guide clients through certification processes and evaluate material choices using Life Cycle Assessment approaches, which measure environmental impacts across a product’s entire lifespan.
- Environmental construction specialists: Focus on measuring and reporting carbon footprints using Environmental Product Declarations.
- Sustainable construction managers: Oversee entire portfolios while scaling improvement initiatives across multiple sites.
Technology integration separates modern sustainable construction roles from traditional positions. Sustainable construction professionals must understand both the technical capabilities and the business impact of the following technologies:
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems for comprehensive lifecycle planning and carbon impact visualization
- Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) for streamlined collaboration and digital Environmental Product Declaration storage
- Digital twin technology for real-time performance monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Generative AI applications for rapid design iteration and carbon optimization
How Much Do Sustainable Construction Professionals Earn?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction managers earned a median annual salary of $106,980 as of September 2025. Many also earn bonuses tied to project performance and business generation. Employment growth projections of 9% for construction managers from 2024 to 2034 far exceed broader occupational growth trends.
More than 380,100 jobs are expected to be added across construction occupations over the next decade, according to the BLS. However, the industry continues to grapple with labor shortages and an aging workforce. More than 40% of the construction workforce from before 2020 is expected to retire by 2031, according to McKinsey & Company. This retirement wave, combined with the sector’s explosive growth demands, positions professionals with advanced credentials for rapid career advancement.
The Need for Specialized Leadership Skills
Sustainable construction professionals must understand carbon assessment methodologies and the distinction between operational carbon from building use and embodied carbon from construction processes. Familiarity with Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessment tools is essential for data-driven decision-making.
Business acumen elevates technical competence into strategic value. Sustainable construction techniques must align with project economics, requiring sophisticated cost estimation that factors carbon considerations into traditional budget constraints.
Leadership capabilities determine who advances to senior roles. Change management expertise enables professionals to implement new sustainable building practices across project teams. Supplier ecosystem development builds long-term partnerships that prioritize environmental performance, and strategic communication translates technical carbon data into business value for stakeholders.
Students in Lamar University’s online MBA in Construction Management program gain specialized skills and knowledge in the mentioned areas mentioned above, preparing them for in-demand leadership roles in a field with ample opportunities for growth. Coursework explores models and tools for managing time, measuring costs and analyzing quality, sustainability and risk, as well as construction-specific legal and safety practices.
Make an Impact as a Sustainable Construction Leader
Construction professionals who transition to sustainability roles often discover that technical knowledge alone proves insufficient. Understanding the complexity of embodied versus operational carbon, grasping the nuances in regulatory compliance and successfully scaling improvements across project portfolios requires business-level strategic thinking.
Lamar University’s online MBA in Construction Project Management addresses this gap by integrating sustainable practices throughout its comprehensive business curriculum. Students complete the program prepared to excel in a dynamic career that offers strong earning potential, long-term job stability and an opportunity to make a positive impact.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online MBA in Construction Project Management program.
