RICS report reveals slowdown in sustainable building demand

The problem of climate change continues to intensify, particularly evident in the increased frequency and ferocity of storms battering Britain, including Storm Claudia last week.

While Earth has experienced natural climate variations throughout its history, human activity has dramatically accelerated the rate of change. Nature is now struggling to adapt quickly enough to these exponential environmental shifts.

This urgent situation has led many nations to sign the Paris Accord and adopt ambitious climate policies. The UK government has set challenging Net Zero targets for the next five years, with the construction industry playing a crucial role in achieving these goals.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, based on insights from more than 3,500 real estate and construction professionals across 36 countries.

The findings reveal concerning trends:

Weakening demand for sustainable buildings Global demand growth for sustainable buildings is slowing, with appetite for green and resilient real estate noticeably weakening across the Americas, UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Only the Middle East and African countries show strengthening momentum, possibly due to increased frequency of higher temperatures near the equator.

Lack of carbon measurement A significant 46% of construction industry respondents indicate no carbon emission measures form part of their projects. Only 16% report that carbon measurement has any meaningful impact on informing how their projects are built.

RICS identifies a critical need for investment in professional education, skills development and capacity building. While 70% of survey respondents confirm at least some knowledge of sustainable construction, understanding of wider economic impact and "circular economy practices" remains low.

To accelerate climate progress, RICS urges global policymakers to:

• Introduce mandatory whole-life carbon reporting for all construction projects
• Set national emissions limits aligned to net-zero pathways
• Expand incentives and financing for green retrofits and low-carbon materials
• Harmonise global standards and definitions for low-carbon and resilient buildings
• Prioritise investment in sustainability skills and training
• Strengthen biodiversity legislation and reporting requirements

Nicholas Maclean OBE RD FRICS IRRV (Hons), Acting RICS President, commented:

"Transformation across the built environment is necessary if we are to meet the challenge of climate change. This important RICS research shows progress, but also clear signs of fatigue and uncertainty. Governments, industry and professional bodies must work together urgently to unlock investment, strengthen policy and scale up skills to deliver a truly sustainable future."

When buying your next home, understanding how it matches up to sustainability standards is increasingly important. Key considerations include:

• The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating in the estate agent's particulars
• Heating systems efficiency and running costs
• Insulation standards and thermal performance
• Inclusion of features like EV charging points
• Overall construction quality and green credentials

A chartered surveyor can provide expert assessment of a property's sustainability credentials and construction quality. They have the experience and knowledge to identify how well a property meets Net Zero ideals and can investigate specific sustainability concerns you may have.

If you have particular points for investigation, you can discuss these with your surveyor beforehand to ensure your requirements are understood and completely covered in their delivered report.

Surveyor Local connects you to RICS-qualified chartered surveyors through our nationwide panel. Call to get your no-obligation survey quote, or get a quick quote using our easy-to-use quote generator.