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A green profession? A global survey of RICS members and their engagement with the sustainability agenda

Tim Dixon (Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, Department of Real Estate and Construction, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK)
Andrea Colantonio (Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, Department of Real Estate and Construction, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK)
David Shiers (Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, Department of Real Estate and Construction, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK)
Richard Reed (Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia)
Sara Wilkinson (Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia)
Paul Gallimore (Department of Real Estate, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

Journal of Property Investment & Finance

ISSN: 1463-578X

Article publication date: 26 September 2008

3609

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to provide a review of the background and context to the engagement of RICS members with the sustainability agenda, and to examine the extent to which the surveying profession uses relevant information, tools and techniques to achieve the key objectives of sustainable development (or sustainability).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses results from a major international online survey of 4,600 RICS respondent members, supported by 31 structured telephone interviews.

Findings

The results suggest that, although sustainability is highly relevant to RICS members' work, a lack of knowledge and expertise is making it more difficult for sustainability tools and other information to be used effectively.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is based on a substantial number of responses which are broadly representative of the global RICS population. A key implication is that “laggard” faculties include the disciplines of commercial property and valuation.

Practical implications

The research suggests that key stakeholders must work together to provide better information, guidance and education and training to “hardwire” the sustainability agenda across RICS faculties.

Originality/value

This is the first truly global survey of its kind and focuses particularly on those faculties that play a major role in property investment and finance (i.e. valuation and commercial property), comparing their position with that of other faculties in an international context.

Keywords

Citation

Dixon, T., Colantonio, A., Shiers, D., Reed, R., Wilkinson, S. and Gallimore, P. (2008), "A green profession? A global survey of RICS members and their engagement with the sustainability agenda", Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 460-481. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635780810908352

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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