Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be significantly reduced by replacing conventional construction materials with more sustainable, low-carbon alternatives. Such alternatives include the use of waste-derived products and locally sourced sustainable materials, aligning with the principles of circularity. However, in many developing countries, particularly within the construction sector, these materials and circular economy practices receive limited attention despite increasing awareness of the need to decarbonize. This chapter examines the potential of local sustainable materials and circularity to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, as well as the unique barriers hindering their widespread adoption. It highlights how sustained reliance on imported construction materials has reshaped market preferences, gradually displacing demand for local alternatives and fostering structural and perceptual biases in favour of foreign products. This dependency is reinforced by the absence of robust quality assurance systems and limited domestic production capacity. The chapter further explores pathways for promoting the uptake of local sustainable materials, including the establishment of clear and enforceable standards, enhanced awareness campaigns, and the creation of an enabling environment for recycling and material-tracking systems.