## 2 Background
### Overview of Eco-Materials for Sustainable Building  
Improving building sustainability has become increasingly important as it has a positive impact on the economy, society, and the environment [27; 28]. The sustainable building challenge consists of four main factors, which include utilizing natural resources such as energy, water, land, and building materials; creating healthy surroundings both indoors and outdoors; designing buildings and communities; and assessing environmental effects, including construction processes, life cycle operations, and deconstruction [29]. Eco-materials are typically sourced from renewable or recycled materials, which helps to minimize the need to extract limited resources and reduces waste [30; 31; 32; 33]. By using these environmentally friendly materials, the preservation of resources becomes a significant benefit gained [34]. These materials are crucial in promoting sustainable construction practices as they can help to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional building materials. Locally sourced materials in building also play a major role in reducing the environmental impact. For instance, energy consumption and transportation activities in a house built with local materials were reduced by 215% and 453%, respectively, when compared to a house not built with local materials [35]. Therefore, the use of locally sourced materials and non-manufactured building materials for construction is crucial to minimize transportation distances. This not only reduces air pollution caused by vehicles but also supports local economic activities [36; 37]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l} \hline \hline \multicolumn{2}{c}{**United Nations Sustainable Development Goals**} \\ \hline
**Goal 5: Gender equality** \\ - _Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls._ \\ \hline
**Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation** \\ - _Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all._ \\ \hline
**Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy** \\ - _Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all._ \\ \hline
**Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth** \\ - _Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all._ \\ \hline
**Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure** \\ - _Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation._ \\ \hline
**Goal 10: Reduced inequalities** \\ - _Reduce inequality within and among countries._ \\ \hline
**Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities** \\ - _Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable._ \\ \hline
**Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production** \\ - _Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns._ \\ \hline
**Goal 13: Climate action** \\ - _Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts._ \\ \hline
**Goal 14: Life below water** \\ - _Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development._ \\ \hline
**Goal 15: Life on land** \\ - _Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss._ \\ \hline
**Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions** \\ - _Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels._ \\ \hline
**Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals** \\ - _Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development._ \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Cont. Using eco-friendly materials in sustainable building projects usually requires more effort than in conventional projects [38]. This usually includes creating agreements that ensure environmentally responsible practices and materials used, along with strict management and control measures on the site.