Criteria Evaluation of Major Green Building Rating Systems in Use around the World and Suggestion to Form Iran's Rating Standard

The construction industry is known to be the pioneer of countries development. Because of intensive relationship with natural resources, pollution and health topic, this industry has received a great deal of attention in terms of environmental aspects, especially in the recent decades. The impact of this industry on economic and social issues in addition to environmental issues, has attracted the researchers of sustainable development topics on this industry more than before. The construction industry is responsible for the consumption of 40% of global resources, 12% of potable water reserves, 55% of wood products, 45-65% of produced waste, 40% of raw materials, and the emission of 48% of harmful greenhouse gases, which leads to air and water pollution, threat of depletion of natural resources, and global warming (Castro-Lacouture et al., 2009; Roodman & Lenssen, 1995).