RICS maps out sustainable road ahead

17th February 2009

RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is to host a series of Sustainability events, starting with the launch today (17th February) of new research "Toward a Low Carbon Built Environment: A roadmap for Action".

The research explores how the Chartered Surveying profession could best play its part in shaping a low carbon built environment. The study was commissioned by RICS to establish the current state of knowledge and practice in this area and to describe a possible framework to support moves towards a low carbon built environment.

The primary objective is to suggest how a developed country might go about reducing carbon emissions from the built environment. The research also highlights the contributions that individuals, business and governments need to make. Reducing the carbon footprint of buildings is vital as they are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.

RICS proposals for a climate change strategy, also presented today, highlight that RICS' unique contribution is to identify how policy can be configured to create value for sustainable buildings and assets. RICS will be working with Government as part of the Heat and Energy Saving Strategy announced last week.

RICS' new Head of Sustainability Arlette Anderson also outlined key areas of practice and guidance work RICS is undertaking.

RICS' Head of Sustainability Arlette Anderson said:

"RICS and its members are strongly committed to the delivery of a sustainable property sector where the use of resources, particularly energy, is minimised throughout the life of a building, from concept to disposal. Surveyors work in a complex and difficult market. It might be seen as a luxury to worry about climate change right now but current market conditions mean that now is a time for increasing efforts towards sustainability – occupiers are demanding reduced environmental impacts. There is a growing realisation that such efforts can also help to cut costs."

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