Sustainability Advisory (MRICS) pilot pathway
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As the built environment faces rising demands to cut carbon emissions while promoting social equity, economic resilience, and access to affordable, high-quality spaces and assets, RICS continues to position itself at the forefront of this transformation by ensuring our profession has the skills and expertise needed to deliver environmental solutions.
By creating a structured pathway for sustainability professionals to join RICS, we're ensuring the profession can meet growing demand for expertise in this area. This work sits alongside an extensive programme to upgrade sustainability competencies within the existing RICS professional groups, throughout our entry pathways, CPD provision, professional guidance and standards development.
The Sustainability Advisory pathway supports professionals providing strategic sustainability advice across the built and natural environment. It covers climate action, nature, circularity, and social value, with emphasis on governance, risk, finance, and systems thinking. It is suited to those in advisory, leadership, or coordination roles guiding sustainability outcomes at project, portfolio, or policy levels.
Core areas of technical competency we anticipate will be included within this pathway (subject to finalisation)
- Principles of sustainability
- Governance, disclosure and reporting
- Digital and Low carbon technology
- Climate risks and resilience
- Sustainable finance and investment
- Social value, health, place and community
- Materials, circularity and adaptive systems
We are also considering the addition of a limited number of sector-based optional competencies.
* These are in addition to achievement of the mandatory RICS competencies required for Chartered membership entry.
Published date: 14 November 2025
We have closed expressions of interest for the Sustainability Advisory (MRICS) pathway and will be contacting eligible candidates to send their applications to join the pilot assessment stage.
Industry endorsements
“This pilot pathway marks a turning point - not just for RICS, but for the built environment. It’s a call to action for professionals ready to lead on climate, circularity, and social value. I believe this is how we build a future that’s not only resilient, but regenerative. I urge the wider industry to step forward and help shape this transformative initiative.”
Tina Paillet,
Former RICS President and Co-Founder, Circotrade
“The RICS Sustainability Advisory Pathway provides a comprehensive framework for professionals looking to become well-rounded sustainability specialists, without focusing on a specific certification or discipline.”
Karen Lee
Associate Director, Sustainability, Turner & Townsend
“The proposed new RICS Sustainability competency framework and pathway represents a significant step forward in establishing a comprehensive and common qualification for real estate sustainability professionals. As our sector addresses increasingly complex and pressing sustainability challenges, we need to create a clearer route for sustainability professionals who are transitioning their careers or solidifying their real estate experience. We welcome RICS taking a leading role in elevating professional sustainability training standards across our industry and encourage you to show an expression of interest in the pilot scheme.”
Emma Hoskyn
UK Head of Sustainability, JLL
“As the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, we recognise the need for professionals who can deliver strategic sustainability guidance across the property lifecycle. It’s positive to see sustainability recognised as a distinct professional pathway, reflecting its central role in shaping the future of real estate. This initiative is designed to strengthen the ability of RICS members to drive climate resilience, risk mitigation and long-term performance across real estate portfolios and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”
Amanda Stevenson
Sustainability Practice Lead UK, CBRE
“The RICS Sustainability Advisory pathway reflects the growing demand for professionals with the expertise to guide clients, organisations, and markets through the complex challenges of environmental responsibility, regulatory change, and sustainable development. By defining clear competencies and setting a global standard, RICS has an opportunity to equip professionals with the skills they need to lead in this critical area, while reinforcing the profession’s role in driving positive, measurable impact.”
RICS Europe World Regional Board
Read frequently asked questions regarding the pathways pilot here.
