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    WBEF

    The built environment's forum for the future.

    The World Built Environment Forum is an initiative of RICS, the leading international professional body in the sector. We have a formal public interest remit and our work aims to ensure that markets operate in the best interests of society.

    Our mission is to advance discussions of critical importance to the built and natural environment, inspiring positive and sustainable change for a prosperous and inclusive future.

    About WBEF    Follow us

    WBEF highlights

    Webinar

    Strategies for design, construction and financing against climate disasters

    This webinar will explore how we can improve building resilience by changing the way buildings are designed, constructed, retrofitted, and financed.

    Green road

    Pathways to net zero for surveyors: five reasons to be cheerful

    Claire O’Neill, former UK climate change and energy minister, spoke about the role surveyors play in reaching net zero in the built and natural environment. Here, we share her opening keynote speech at the recent RICS Global Sustainability Conference 2024.

    Article from

    The Planet of Cities: the journey of European cities from 1980 to 2080

    In the last 50 years, European cities have struggled to keep pace with the world’s fastest-growing urban centres, in terms of size, demographics, productivity, economic dynamism, connectivity and innovation.

    Article from
    Windfarm on green hills

    Sustainability Report 2024

    The RICS Sustainability Report 2024 uncovers trends and sentiment of 4,000 built and natural environment professionals in 32 countries across the world.

    Upcoming WBEF webinars

    Webinar

    Strategies for design, construction and financing against climate disasters

    • 1.0 Hours Formal CPD • Online

    Free

    Top down view of a city

    Webinar

    Circularity in real estate: Approaches to achieving a truly sustainable sector

    • Online

    Free

    Suburban houses

    Webinar

    Climate contracting in real estate: The role of greener deals in reducing global carbon emissions

    • Online

    Free

    Webinar

    Commercial property outlook 2025: Will recovery across commercial real estate markets gain traction?

    • Online

    Free

    aerial view of the built environment

    Webinar

    The UK’s whole life carbon ecosystem: a framework for decarbonising the built environment

    • Online

    Free

    Latest megatrend insights

    The Planet of Cities: North American cities from 1980 to 2080

    Shaped by financial crises, globalisation, industrial offshoring, suburbanisation, the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting geopolitics, North America’s urban landscape tells a story of resilience, reinvention and disruption.

    Green road

    Pathways to net zero for surveyors: five reasons to be cheerful

    Claire O’Neill, former UK climate change and energy minister, spoke about the role surveyors play in reaching net zero in the built and natural environment. Here, we share her opening keynote speech at the recent RICS Global Sustainability Conference 2024.

    Cityscape

    Business integrity in real estate: tackling illicit financial flows

    In the face of advancing technology, what are the most effective measures and approaches to managing illicit financial flows in real estate?

    Construction project pipelines in 2024 and beyond: management and financing

    In a recent webinar, a panel of experts from the UK, Europe, Middle East and America discussed the drivers and barriers to construction activity and project pipelines in 2024 and beyond.

    The Planet of Cities: the journey of European cities from 1980 to 2080

    In the last 50 years, European cities have struggled to keep pace with the world’s fastest-growing urban centres, in terms of size, demographics, productivity, economic dynamism, connectivity and innovation.

    Aerial view of road in the countryside

    Environmental product declarations: why does the industry need more EPDs?

    Legislation around the world is increasingly mandating the reporting of embodied carbon and use of more sustainable products in buildings.

    AI representation

    Professional conduct and the responsible use of AI

    The awareness and use of AI across the land and property life cycle has steadily grown in recent years, bringing both advantages and risks to professionals and their clients.

    City top down view

    Building inclusive cities: the role of real estate

    How inclusive are today's cities? Drawing on the results of the Cushman & Wakefield Inclusive Cities Barometer, a recent webinar examined the role of that the real estate industry plays in fostering socially equitable and healthy urban environments.

    The planet of cities: peak population and urbanisation in the next 100 years

    As discussed in the first column of this series, when considering the future of cities, it is important to observe the increasing urbanisation of our people and planet.

    Construction silhouette

    RICS global construction monitor results Q3 2024: Activity growth slowing but remains positive

    The Construction Sentiment Index for Q3 2024 indicates an easing in activity growth, while trends at sector level are more divergent.

    Commercial building

    RICS commercial property monitor results Q3 2024: Are global real estate markets in early recovery?

    The Commercial Property Sentiment Index for Q3 2024 tentatively points to global real estate markets moving towards a more positive trajectory. However, the latest survey results indicate considerable variation in the outlook for the next 12 months regarding different regions, countries and sectors.

    Green fields

    Attracting investment into net zero neighbourhoods: local approaches for global decarbonisation

    What specific investment challenges are neighbourhood decarbonisation initiatives in parts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia encountering, and how are these being overcome? A recent webinar welcomed experts to discuss these issues.

    Lightning talks

    Drone shot of Milan city

    Video

    Smart Readiness Indicator: Practical implications for the construction and real estate sectors

    How does Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) fit into the broader ESG concept and how is it enabling the effective decarbonisation of the built environment?

    Video

    Technical and AI jargon: Explanation of the technology changing the built and natural environment

    How can artificial intelligence systems be trained and applied to different kinds of tasks in the built environment and what impacts will this have on professionals?

    Video

    The role of AI in improving sustainable outcomes in real estate

    How will the increasing adoption of AI affect sustainability in the real estate sector?

    Video

    The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Objectives and challenges

    The building sector is crucial for achieving the EU’s energy and environmental goals.

    Video

    How digital transformation will impact the construction industry

    As digital technologies become more cohesive, how will they affect the construction sector?

    Video

    The power of data and technology for quantity surveyors and cost managers

    The growing significance of data and technology in quantity surveying and cost management practices cannot be overstated.

    Video

    RICS Q1 2023 Global Construction Monitor findings

    Where has the global construction industry shown the most resilience to the economic downturn?

    Video

    The UK’s journey to net zero

    Amidst rising inflation and high energy bills, how is the UK government advancing on their targets and what are the latest proposals?

    Video

    IEA: The future of energy and emissions

    Brian Motherway is Head of the Energy Efficiency Division of the International Energy Agency (IEA). In this excerpt, taken from his keynote speech at WBEF Week 2023, he presents IEA insight on the future of energy demand, energy security, and energy efficiency.

    Architectural blueprints and blueprint rolls and a drawing instruments on the worktable; Shutterstock ID 246019015; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

    Video

    RICS Q4 Global Construction Monitor findings

    Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, provides highlights from the latest findings from the RICS Q4 2022 Global Construction Monitor.

    Megatrends

    Exploring the issues that will define the world for decades and generations to come

    Digital Transformation

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    Markets & Geopolitics

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    Natural Environment

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    Urbanisation

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