The South African construction sector plays a role in national economic development and infrastructure growth. The adoption of sustainable procurement processes by emerging construction companies remains limited, affecting progress towards long-term sustainability objectives. This study examined the extent of sustainable procurement system adoption among emerging construction companies in Gauteng, South Africa, identifying barriers and enablers to implementation. A mono-quantitative research design was utilised, involving a structured survey distributed to directors and senior managers. The survey gathered information on environmental, economic, and social sustainability practices within their firms’ procurement systems. Results indicated varying levels of understanding of sustainability among respondents, with inconsistent implementation across firms. Reported barriers included insufficient regulatory frameworks, lack of financial incentives, limited technical capacity, and limited government support. Identified enablers were education, advocacy, commitment from organizational leadership, and integrating sustainability into professional education. The findings offer policy recommendations regarding sustainability benchmarks, potential funding sources, and intellectual and skills development. Models such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are identified as tools that may support collaboration and sustainability efforts. The study addresses both theoretical and practical considerations related to sustainable procurement within South Africa's construction industry.