Climate Change and Professional Surveying Programmes of Study

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to examine some of the issues that the UK surveying profession need to consider with regard to climate change in the built environment. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on an examination of literature related to adaptation and mitigation and the flow of information in the context of climate change and the built environment. The findings in this paper are based on a questionnaire survey (September 2008) of recent graduates from 23 programmes in the UK to assess the current state of knowledge and understanding of the issues confronting the profession with regard to the impact of climate change. They follow on from an earlier independent perception survey of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members which specifically focused on climate change. The findings from this survey suggested a degree of unpreparedness amongst the surveying community in the UK regarding issues around climate change and the built environment. Findings: The paper suggests that, whilst the RICS stress the importance of sustainability in their literature and most university course documents include reference to sustainability and the effects of climate change, the message from graduates is mixed. For example, approximately 50 per cent of graduates considered that there was no, or little reference to the issue in their own programmes. Originality/value: This paper addresses sustainability literacy and questions the way in which climate change in the built environment specifically is taught on surveying programmes. The findings help inform gaps in the manner in which the subject is approached. Leading on from this, it may be possible to put forward suggestion for a more proactive approach. (Contains 9 figures.)