The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has called for accelerated efforts to decarbonise the UK’s built environment, warning that the sector is falling short of the commitment required to meet 2050 net zero targets.
In its 2024 Sustainability Report, RICS highlighted significant barriers, including the high costs of green materials and a lack of government incentives, which have hindered the adoption of sustainable building practices.
Despite these challenges, biodiversity tracking has improved, spurred by new legislation mandating a 10% biodiversity net gain for development projects.
RICS has proposed reforms, including mandatory carbon assessments for all new developments, stricter energy performance standards, and stronger government-led policy frameworks.
The report also emphasised the importance of RICS standards, such as the Whole Life Carbon Assessment and the newly launched Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, in guiding the sector toward sustainable practices.
