RICS as a Sustainable Organisation

A Vision for Sustainability is RICS' first corporate responsibility report, reviewing our 2010-11 engagement regarding sustainability, communities and employees.

The report is part of RICS' commitment as a signatory of the UN Global Compact. It details our holistic approach to corporate responsibility and sustainable development, ranging from responsible business practices in the organisation itself, to action on the ground in international development and disaster risk reduction, to promoting fair access to the profession.

• View A Vision for Sustainability

Key initiatives in 2010-11 included:

• Benchmarking RICS' carbon footprint, including displaying CO2 emissions in real time
• Disaster risk reduction and international development projects in Africa
• Research underpinning the business case for sustainability in buildings
• Initiatives to produce training materials for energy efficiency measures in homes across Europe
• Growing Charity Property Help, the pro bono property advice service for UK charities 

As a global professional body governed by a Royal Charter requiring us to act in the public interest in all that we do, RICS is - by definition - wholly devoted to operating as a responsible business. Our strategic business plan puts responsible action at the heart of everything we do.

This is clearly visible in our core functions of setting and enforcing the highest standards of competence and ethical behaviour in the profession; providing impartial and informed advice to policymakers; and in our standards, research and advocacy work on some of the biggest issues for economies, businesses, society and individuals, such as sustainability and international development.

Sean Tompkins, RICS CEO

Watch Louise Brooke-Smith FRICS, RICS Vice-President, and Sharon Wilson, RICS Director of HR and Corporate Responsibility, explaining our responsible business strategy:

For more information

Ursula Hartenberger
e uhartenberger@rics.org