Structural Evaluation and Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry Within the Framework of Saudi Vision 2030

Buildings and infrastructure are among the main contributors to environmental degradation due to water pollution, excessive energy consumption, construction waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. In line with its environmental commitments under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to mitigate these negative impacts in the construction sector, supporting sustainable development goals at the environmental, social, and economic levels. Although a number of buildings in the Kingdom have received the globally recognized LEED certification, there remains significant potential to expand the adoption and integration of sustainable building practices. The concept of green building is based on designing and operating structures in ways that minimize environmental harm by improving energy efficiency, conserving water, and utilizing sustainable, ecofriendly materials. Evaluation systems such as LEED are essential and reliable tools for assessing building performance with respect to sustainability. However, applying the LEED system in the Saudi context presents several challenges, primarily due to its strong emphasis on energy efficiency while relatively overlooking other locally relevant factors such as climatic conditions and socioeconomic and cultural considerations. This study focuses on analyzing the LEED system as one of the leading global sustainability rating frameworks, with the aim of evaluating the extent to which sustainable strategies are being implemented in the Saudi construction market, identifying the barriers limiting its wider application, and offering practical recommendations to adapt the system to local needs. This, in turn, would enhance the adoption and integration of sustainable building practices and support the sustainability goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.