RICS at COP29 - leading and influencing on sustainability

As part of our commitment to lead and influence sustainability, RICS is participating at COP29, taking place between 11-22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. It presents us with a key milestone to continue building on the momentum we have gained since COP28 in Dubai.

Participating for the second time as a UN-accredited observer organisation, we will be representing the profession and our members, highlighting the role they play in driving positive change. Along with this, a key goal for us is to strengthen our relationships with decision makers and government representatives, advocating the importance of global harmonisation of measurement of whole life carbon.

What we’ve achieved so far

Over the last year, we have positioned ourselves as a global leader in sustainability in the built and natural environment. Specifically, we highlighted our work around consistent measurement and reporting of whole life carbon, through the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) in the built environment standard

In March 2024, we played an active role at the inaugural Buildings and Global Climate Forum in Paris, where we launched our global WLCA harmonisation guide, as well as a series of practical supporting guides for governments and the industry to embed whole life carbon assessments.

This activity saw us appointed as a member of the steering committee for priority action 1 of the UN Buildings Breakthrough, which focuses on standards and certifications. This allows us to influence policymakers on adopting the RICS standard and therefore creating demand for our profession to consistently measure and report whole life carbon, and in turn, generating demand for their services in this area.

In addition, we have also been appointed as the co-intervention lead of the Lever 1 World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Market Transformation Action Agenda. This focuses on achieving harmonisation of WLCA across the full value chain of the built environment.

What does our attendance at COP29 mean?

We approach COP with global endorsements for our standards, guides and thought leadership, positioning us firmly within the crucial discussions on sustainability. Our most recent endorsement came from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which cited our Global Harmonisation guide in the 2024 Breakthrough Agenda report.  

Global harmonisation of WLCAs is a key priority in our COP29 agenda. With the built environment contributing to approximately 39% of all carbon emissions, there is a need for countries to adopt a harmonised approach in measuring Whole Life Carbon.

We are asking governments to embed our WLCA standard in policies as measuring whole life carbon can contribute to countries meeting their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) through the reduction of the carbon emissions from their built environments – what you don’t measure, you don’t know.

Together, this provides an opportunity for policymakers and the market to come together to deliver a net zero future. While pushing for harmonisation and consistent measurement and reporting of whole life carbon, we will highlight the vital role that RICS members play in delivering this sustainable future.

If we can influence both policymakers and the market to adopt RICS standards such as the WLCA, then we will create demand for the profession - now and in the future.

To build on the momentum of the last twelve months, our President, Tina Paillet and I, will be there from 17-21 November with the following objectives:

1. Continue to position the RICS as a global leader and driver for sustainability, and strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders such as the UN and national governments
2. Gain advocacy for RICS solutions and standards
3. Generate demand for RICS professionals by demonstrating their expertise, experience and positive environmental, economic and social impact
4. Achieve visibility for RICS data, guidance and insights, such as the upcoming Sustainability Report 2024

Globally RICS and our members have never been more fundamental to meeting the challenge of achieving a net zero future, not just today, but also tomorrow.

Between 18-22 November, follow the hashtag #RICSAtCOP29 to see our on-the-ground coverage at COP29, and visit our Sustainability Hub for our full range of sustainability standards, guidance and insights.