The campaign pushes for increased action within the industry, highlighting the essential need to Value the Planet and will provide support and resources from RICS and the industry to help the profession take both climate action and adopt the UN SDGs.

The Implementing the UN SDGs paper published today highlights three key aims for the profession; thinking across the lifecycle, collaboration; and being accountable.

The paper lists action that can be taken by industry, gives information on professional standards and RICS updates, tips, resources, research, thought leadership, and examples of collaboration - to support RICS professionals and firms in achieving the 2030 target of adoption of the SDGs.

RICS professionals work within every stage of the property life cycle and an online resource centre, also live today, provides further information and research, to support our professionals.

RICS is also today publishing the RICS Responsible Business report which provides recommendations for businesses on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the built environment.

Recommendations for the industry in the report include key actions in management and commitment; diversity and collaboration; well-being and employment; community and supplier engagement; and environmental protection.

The recommended approaches to protect the environment include compliance with regulation and proactive disclosure of performance; reduction in environmental impacts, e.g. energy, transport, water; use of projects to provide a step-change; promotion of biodiversity as an environmental and social benefit and incorporating the concept of circular economy into the supply chain and business operations.

Matthew Howell, RICS UK managing director, said: “RICS’ Value the Planet campaign launch, will today provide our professionals with a new paper to assist them with implementing the UN goals, and RICS resources to help them be accountable for the sake of future generations. We are committed to supporting our professionals and firms in this area.”

Patrice Cairns, UK RICS policy manager, added: “The launch of ‘Value the Planet’ is very timely given the spotlight on climate change and responsible business, especially on the front doorstep of our HQ.

“Looking ahead to UK-hosted COP 26 next year as a pinnacle of action, Government will be pushing forward a raft of measures to address climate change and Government and industry must work together in the challenge of reducing the built environment’s contribution of over one third of carbon emissions and we look forward to working with them on this.”