<p>The rapid growth in building energy consumption and its substantial contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions have intensified the need for sustainable and energy-efficient thermal management solutions. This study presents a comprehensive review of advanced thermal management strategies for green buildings, emphasizing their role in achieving net-zero energy performance and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It systematically evaluates both passive and active approaches, including high-performance building envelopes, phase change materials, green roofs and façades, advanced glazing systems, radiative cooling surfaces, and renewable-integrated heating and cooling technologies. A structured methodology combining literature synthesis, comparative assessment, and performance mapping is applied to examine their effectiveness in reducing energy demand, lowering emissions, and improving indoor thermal comfort across different climatic conditions. The findings indicate that passive techniques alone can reduce cooling loads by around 30%, while advanced materials and hybrid systems further enhance thermal regulation, indoor environmental quality, and overall building efficiency. The integration of smart control systems, renewable energy technologies, and energy-efficient retrofit measures is identified as a key pathway to accelerate the transition towards net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs). Furthermore, the study aligns these thermal management strategies with major green building certification frameworks and policy instruments, highlighting their practical significance in sustainable construction. Overall, the results provide a clear and actionable roadmap for architects, engineers, and policymakers to design climate-responsive, cost-effective, and low-carbon buildings through the combined application of passive design principles, innovative materials, and intelligent energy systems, ultimately contributing to resilient and environmentally responsible built environments.</p>