“Buildings consume over one third of energy worldwide … At the same time, about one third of global carbon emissions can be traced back to buildings.”

RICS, 2019

Our buildings are integral to everyday life, but who should take responsibility when it comes to their impact on our climate?

It could be argued that professionals involved in the built environment have a responsibility and moral obligation to help combat climate change. If so, what does this mean in practice? What impact does this have on the industry and the way professionals operate in the future?

These are some of the issues being discussed at this year’s Harris Debate. The event, titled ‘Climate Change – Your Impact, Your Responsibilities’ will be held at RICS headquarters in London on October 30, 2019.

Highlights for this year’s debate include:


Guest speaker, Alastair Mant of UK Green Building Council

Panel discussion, chaired by Lord Bichard KCB

Submit your questions live on the following topics:

–> Climate change outlook and predictions
–> Professional and ethical obligations
–> Operational and embodied carbon emissions – whole life assessment
–> Impact of legislative and financial business cycles