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RICS Maps Out Sustainable Road Ahead

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
2009-03-04 16:56 1839

Global concerns that press for immediate actions by both governments and individuals

HONG KONG, March 4 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ("RICS) has recently launched a new research report "Toward a Low Carbon Built Environment: A roadmap for Action" as part of an overall plan of RICS sustainability framework to show the high priority of RICS in addressing the policy arena of the environment, climate change and sustainability.

The research explores how the Chartered Surveying profession could best play its part in shaping a low carbon built environment. The study was commissioned by RICS to establish the current state of knowledge and practice in this area and to describe a possible framework to support moves towards a low carbon built environment.

The primary objective is to suggest how a developed country might go about reducing carbon emissions from the built environment. The research also highlights the contributions that individuals, business and governments need to make. Taking UK as an example, reducing the carbon footprint of buildings is vital as they are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions (Note 1).

Mr. Nicholas Brooke, Past President of RICS and Chairman of Professional Property Services Group, commented, "The reduction of carbon emissions from the built environment and the establishment of a low carbon environment is a crucial element of any national or city programme as it seeks to respond to the challenges of climate change. This research study by the RICS identifies initiatives and mechanisms which could have major relevance to Hong Kong and to its policy makers where major carbon emissions are created by energy being used in the cooling and lighting of buildings and in the powering of our transportation systems and where it should be possible for Hong Kong to demonstrate meaningful and measurable savings based on the outcomes of the study."

A copy of the full report can be found at http://www.rics.org/climatechange .

RICS proposals for a climate change strategy can be found at http://www.rics.org/ccstrategy .

Note 1: DCLG website 2009

About RICS & RICS Asia

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity - providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is the worlds' leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction. With over 140,000 members globally, RICS represents, regulates and promotes the work of property professionals throughout 146 countries.

The RICS Asia supports a network of over 9,000 individual professionals across the Asia region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members.

The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The People's Republic of China and the SAR Hong Kong. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam.

Designated contacts for Hong Kong media:

RICS Hong Kong Public Relations Representatives

Ms Katherine Chow / Ms Kate Kwan

Tel: +852-2372-0090

Fax: +852-2372-0490

Mobile: +852-9256-3223 / +852-9077-1337

Email: kat@creativegp.com / kate@creativegp.com

Source: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Keywords: Real Estate
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