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The UK construction industry is responsible for roughly 25% of total UK carbon emissions, according to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). As a result, local authorities, developers and private clients are demanding low-carbon construction and lifecycle management - and surveyors are expected to lead the charge.
RICS has been vocal about the importance of carbon measurement and lifecycle costing. Their “Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment” framework encourages surveyors to look beyond the immediate build and consider the full lifespan of materials, energy use and demolition.
This shift has turned sustainability from a side topic into a core competency for the modern surveyor.
How Net-Zero is Changing Surveying Practice
Whether you’re a building surveyor, quantity surveyor or land surveyor, sustainability now shapes the way projects are planned, delivered and measured. Here’s how it’s showing up in day-to-day work:
Building Surveyors are assessing the energy performance of existing buildings, recommending retrofit strategies, and ensuring compliance with EPC regulations.
Quantity Surveyors are being asked to quantify and manage “carbon budgets” alongside financial budgets.
Land Surveyors are using GIS and data analytics to identify sites suitable for renewable energy installations or biodiversity enhancements.
This evolution means surveyors need a solid understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, as clients increasingly expect these to be part of their tendering and reporting processes.
The Rise of Green Skills and ESG Recruitment
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the UK will need over 40,000 additional workers with “green skills” by 2028. Surveying roles make up a large share of that number. Recruitment agencies are seeing rising demand for professionals with experience in sustainable construction, retrofitting, carbon auditing, and renewable infrastructure.
At the same time, candidates who can demonstrate understanding of sustainability - even if they’re early in their careers - are finding themselves shortlisted more often and commanding 5–10% higher salaries, particularly in London and the South East.
For instance, several UK-based property consultancies, including Carter Jonas and AECOM, have recently expanded their sustainability teams, recruiting surveyors who can support net-zero frameworks, energy efficiency reporting and green investment projects.
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What Employers Can Do
For employers and consultancies, integrating sustainability into recruitment and professional development is becoming essential.
Here’s what forward-thinking firms are doing:
Upskilling current teams in carbon assessment, retrofit strategies and sustainable procurement.
Partnering with RICS-accredited training providers for CPD modules in Net-Zero and ESG.
Revising job descriptions to include sustainability as a key responsibility, not just a “nice-to-have.”
Highlighting green projects in recruitment campaigns to attract environmentally conscious candidates.
This is not just good ethics - it’s good business. Clients and investors increasingly favour firms that can demonstrate environmental credentials, and talent gravitates toward organisations that take sustainability seriously.
What Candidates Should Focus On
If you’re a surveyor looking to future-proof your career, sustainability is your ticket.
Here are a few ways to strengthen your green credentials:
Take short courses in sustainable construction or carbon accounting (RICS and CIOB offer several).
Get familiar with BREEAM, LEED and Passivhaus standards.
Gain hands-on experience in retrofit, renewable, or low-energy projects.
Keep up to date with evolving legislation and government frameworks, such as the UK’s Net-Zero Strategy and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
Even small steps - like highlighting relevant coursework or volunteering for sustainability audits - can make your CV stand out to employers who increasingly value environmental literacy.
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The Future: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
In 2025 and beyond, sustainability will move from being a compliance issue to a core driver of value in surveying. Firms that embed sustainable practices will win more tenders, attract top talent, and enjoy stronger client relationships. Surveyors who embrace green skills will have their pick of high-impact, future-facing roles.
The push to Net-Zero is reshaping the surveying profession - not as a burden, but as a new frontier of opportunity. Those who adapt early will lead the way in a sector that’s as vital to the planet as it is to the economy.
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