What's new?

All sections are reviewed biannually by expert authors. The major section updates are below.

Brownfield developments

Updates to this section reflect recent political developments in the UK, plans for a new infrastructure levy, and funding available from Homes England and the Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund.

Climate change: adaptation and mitigation

Coverage of COP28 has been added to the pages on Legislation, policy and planning, which also include details of the UK's latest National Adaptation Programme.

Ecological considerations

Minor updates have been made, largely to Natural capital and ecosystem services, to reflect the recent revision to the National Planning Policy Framework and the now mandatory requirements for biodiversity net gain.

Flood risk

Among minor amendments to this section, Managing flood risk to a property has been updated to emphasise property flood resilience (PFR).

ISO 50001 and energy management

The section been updated to detail the climate change-related requirements for the scope of energy management systems and the current Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme deadlines.

Key concepts in sustainability

Comprehensive updates to this section reflect latest temperature and carbon data, developments in policy and legislation, and the costs of and prospects for sustainability.

Sustainable management of the UK government estate

What is the government’s estate? has been updated to refer to the State of the estate 2022–2023 report, coverage of COP28 has been added to the global context for sustainability, and Greening Government Commitments 2021–25 also now covers the Government Property Sustainability Strategy.

Sustainable procurement

A comprehensive edit brings the whole section up to date, and adds a checklist of basic measures to take when preparing a sustainable procurement strategy.

RICS initiatives

iConsult

See iConsult to review the latest RICS consultation drafts.

This page was last updated June 2024.