Globally, cities occupy only 3% of the earth’s surface, but our urban population contributes to almost 75% of carbon emissions. Our buildings alone consume more than 40% of the global energy and construction activities for the development of our facilitates result in more than 40% of the average total human-produced waste generated worldwide. The science is crystal clear and the numbers are undeniable hinting towards the pressing need to reconsider our building practices.

With sustainability increasingly becoming a part of today’s political discourse, organizations not transitioning towards environmentally smart buildings must do so at their own peril. Worldwide, governments and corporations are joining forces to make cities better places to live with a special focus on the built environment, and the story of MENA region is no different.

Considering MENA region’s unique geographical and environmental challenges, a sustainability framework was required that could best meet global standards while also tacking with the regional specificities. This is what inspired the development of Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Based on a bottom-up approach, GSAS allows for seamless integration of specific requirements of each country with high-level and multidimensional sustainability goals.