RICS highlights slowdown in global sustainable property momentum

A new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) warns that progress toward sustainability in the global built environment is slowing, with carbon measurement practices falling short and demand growth for green buildings weakening in key markets.

The RICS Sustainability Report 2025, published on 11 November, draws on responses from more than 3,500 real estate and construction professionals across 36 countries. It reveals that while interest in sustainable and resilient buildings persists, momentum is stalling—particularly in the Americas, with softer trends also seen across Europe, the UK, and Asia-Pacific. Only the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region showed strengthening demand for sustainable development.

A major concern raised in the report is the lack of progress in carbon measurement. Some 46% of construction professionals surveyed said they do not measure embodied carbon, a figure that has increased over the past year. Only 16% indicated that carbon data meaningfully influences material choices in project design.

RICS argues that without mandatory whole-life carbon assessment and reporting, national and global decarbonisation targets will be missed. The report underscores the widening gap between climate policy ambitions and real-world delivery, calling for urgent action to strengthen regulation, investment and industry capability.

Investor hesitancy is also a key factor. Although green certifications and climate-resilient assets remain valued, concerns over high upfront costs and uncertain returns are limiting uptake. Lack of awareness among investors, particularly in MEA and APAC regions, is compounding the issue.

RICS Acting President Nicholas Maclean said: “Transformation across the built environment is necessary if we are to meet the challenge of climate change. This important RICS research shows progress, but also clear signs of fatigue and uncertainty.”

He highlighted the MEA region as a bright spot, with demand growth outpacing all other areas. “These developments offer valuable insights for global efforts in sustainability practices and provide an important example for the rest of the world,” Maclean added.

To accelerate climate progress, RICS is calling on policymakers to:

* Introduce mandatory whole-life carbon reporting for all construction projects

* Set national emissions limits aligned with net-zero goals

* Expand incentives and financing for green retrofits and low-carbon materials

* Harmonise global definitions and standards for low-carbon buildings

* Invest in sustainability skills and training

* Strengthen biodiversity legislation and reporting frameworks

The 2025 report draws from the RICS Global Commercial Property Monitor and Global Construction Monitor surveys, providing a comprehensive snapshot of current sentiment and emerging trends in sustainable construction worldwide.