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RICS official definition

This competency must be achieved at least to Level 1.

At Level 1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of why and how sustainability seeks to balance
economic, environmental and social objectives at global, national and local levels, in the
context of land, property and the built environment.

At Level 2
Provide evidence of the practical application of sustainability appropriate to your area of
practice, and of awareness of the circumstances in which specialist advice is necessary.

At Level 3
Provide evidence of reasoned advice given to clients and others on the policy, law and best
practice of sustainability, in your area of practice.

isurv recommended reading and services

Commentary

- Climate change: adaption and mitigation in isurv Sustainability

- Environmental impact assessment in isurv Planning
- Key concepts in sustainability in isurv Sustainability
- Sustainability practice in isurv Sustainability
- Sustainable management of the UK Government Estate in isurv Sustainability

Features

- APC candidates: understanding sustainability

- British homes: new energy efficiency standards
- New: Construction resources: mineral shortages
- Environmental performance: sustainable goals
- Facilities management: single-use plastics
- New schemes: energy investments
- New: Office strip-outs: recycling and the circular economy
- Smart rubbish: IT and waste disposal
- Sustainability: rating systems
- UK zero carbon targets: retrofitting for energy efficiency
- World Heritage Sites: overtourism

RICS professional guidance

- Sustainability and commercial property valuation , RICS guidance note

- Sustainability: improving performance in existing buildings , RICS guidance note

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Practical guidance

All chartered surveyors need a basic understanding of environmental issues, which range from
groundwater pollution and contaminated land, to control of pollution in the air we breathe, as
well as, very importantly, energy and climate change. Environmental issues affect building
design, construction use and management, development and re-development, and
regeneration and town planning. Issues such as global warming, dwindling national resources
and atmospheric pollutants are top priorities with many government and influential bodies,
such as the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

You should do some general reading in newspapers and professional journals on

environmental issues. Other useful sources of information and advice are:

The RICS page on Sustainability .

In addition, of course, you should maintain an awareness of environmental issues while at

work. You should be aware of any government initiatives, laws or EU regulations affecting your
particular area of work. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) website is a
useful resource. On a more local level, be aware of any internal office environmental policies
(recycling of paper, for example), and be able to explain the purposes of these. You may like
to test your knowledge and understanding in this area by considering how you would express
the firm's 'green credentials', should this be requested, for example, in an invitation to tender.
Once more, this is a case of stepping back from day-to-day work, to consider the
environmental factors that underlie and overarch such work.

Top tip
Policy and legislation regarding sustainability are constantly evolving. You should ensure you
keep up to date by reading daily newspapers or online news sites regularly as well as property
or construction journals.

Testing areas of knowledge

Key areas of knowledge include:

- what is sustainability/sustainable development?;

- what examples have you been involved with?; and
- topical issues ? these will vary depending on your pathway:

-climate change;
-energy performance certificates;
-legislation;
-effect of buildings on the environment;
-green leases;
-value of green buildings; and
-design of green buildings.

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Consider the following questions and what should be included in answering them.

Why do you feel sustainability is important to you as a surveyor and

to the profession generally?

The earth's capacity is finite. Unsustainable land-use practices, buildings and construction
coupled with an ever-growing population are responsible for the depletion of natural resources
and loss of biodiversity and habitat.

At global, national and local levels RICS and its members are committed to creating and
maintaining a healthy environment not only for today but also for future generations by
adhering to the following principles:

- protection of the environment through the preservation of natural capital;

- promotion of social equity by ensuring access to services for the benefit of all; and
- support of a healthy local economy, including high levels of employment.

What do you think are the key challenges in achieving sustainability

in your area of practice?

Answers here will vary depending upon your pathway. Consider issues such as changing
mindsets, the need for behavioural change, costs, obtaining buy-in from all parties, and the
need to increase demand for higher levels of sustainability in order to influence supply.

How would you assess your organisation?s green credentials?

You should consider issues such as:

- Does your employer have an environmental policy?

- How is this managed?
- What are the key peformance indicators?
- What actions are you taking in your office? e.g. recycling, office policies, travel
policies and incentives.

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