RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is using official guidance to drive the sustainability agenda and ensure that members use their expertise to promote sustainable approaches to their work in land, property and construction. Through its latest guidance 'Sustainability and the Property Life Cycle', RICS details how sustainability can be embedded into the property lifecycle and provides a resource for engaging members.
'Sustainability and the Property Life Cycle' primarily examines the sustainability interventions and opportunities property professionals can put forward during the design and construction of a building project.
It also forms a starting point for further guidance aimed at the RICS property lifecycle stages, principally: Greenfield / estate management; planning and procurement; new construction; occupation and use (including refurbishment and alterations); and demolition and remediation.
Commenting on the introduction of the new guidance, RICS Head of Sustainability Standards Martin Russell-Croucher says: "RICS is well aware of its responsibility in promoting sustainable measures within the profession. Specifically it is important that surveyors are equipped with the necessary information, guidance and skills to make appropriate interventions that help us to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects.
"RICS members are at the forefront of addressing the effects of a changing climate in relation to land, property and construction and providing a response in terms of professional advice."
The RICS Sustainability and the Property Life Cycle Guidance Note can be downloaded at: /www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=3660&fileExtension=PDF
Source: RICS Europe
