Abstract
Sustainable design becomes a mandatory as a result of environmental requirements. Furthermore, LEED as a rating system has started to be a tool in many countries in the world. The research objective is to push all architects to protect the environment through their architectural designs and concepts by applying the most effective sustainable criteria. The methodology will be focused on evaluating LEED in the Middle East region compared with a local rating system in the Middle East. The outcome will be focused on the importance of creating a rating system for each region, which considers local environmental challenges.