RICS unveils global climate change strategy

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) unveiled its global climate change strategy on Tuesday, saying it was committed to taking concrete action globally to stress the value and potential of an emerging low-carbon property market.

At a conference entitled 'How Much Value Does Green Add to a Deal', RICS signed the Communiqué on Climate Change and urged world leaders to agree on an ambitious, credible and equitable climate deal.

RICS said key policy priorities included providing standards, guidance and information to help promote best practice; helping to improve and standardise sustainability measuring and reporting; undertaking a review of sustainability competence to ensure professionals are adequately equipped; and committing to a research programme. The initial focus of action will be on buildings with other property assets following as a second stage. RICS will look at how to reduce their impact on the environment, as well as to better adapt them to the effects of climate change.

Commenting, Ursula Hartenberger, Global Head of Sustainability Policy at RICS said: 'RICS supports the scientific evidence of climate change and the associated risks, both for the planet's ecosystems and societies. It is extremely encouraging to see the level of personal engagement and activity of both RICS members and staff in the world regions in this important field. Climate change is a global issue and as such needs to be addressed globally, but it is the local action that can make a real difference.'

She continued: 'With the creation of new regulatory frameworks beginning to establish a market for low carbon rated property in both commercial and domestic sectors worldwide, RICS members are ideally placed to deliver practical solutions and thus claim a first mover advantage. However, any success will depend on the development of harmonised standards for measurement and further analysis of what policies are needed to create value for sustainable buildings. These two areas will be the key priorities of our work in the coming months.'