Key concepts in sustainability

It has become second nature to think about how sustainable practices can be incorporated into surveying projects: clients want and expect it and surveyors must be in a position to provide it.

This core section introduces the key themes of environmental, economic and social sustainability, often referred to as the triple bottom line. It then moves on to examine the legislation, standards and other main incentives that either force or encourage businesses and people to address sustainability issues.

Rating and assessing the difference these sustainable approaches make has developed into an industry in itself. The common methods of assessment are considered, with links to other sections of isurv Sustainability where these are covered in more detail.

This section is maintained by James Tinkler of Chancerygate.

isurv section: Assessment tools

isurv section: Climate change: adaptation and mitigation

isurv section: Sustainable management of the UK government estate

RICS journal article: An A–Z of sustainability for APC

RICS journal article: Carbon standard digests new build data