We are working to achieve this by expanding our range of services, and by harnessing the strengths of our global network. Our regions are working in unison to innovate and transform our service delivery, helping our clients to maximise sustainability in the design, construction and management of buildings and spaces.
As Africa’s cities grow rapidly, the demand for resources, infrastructure and public health systems increases. Green building adoption remains slow, however, hindered by financial, logistical and knowledge barriers.
In 2024, green buildings accounted for just 6% of new construction projects in sub-Saharan Africa, compared to 55% in Europe and 40% in North America. Buildings in Africa consume 58% of the region’s total energy and contribute 34% of process-related CO₂ emissions, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices.
A key obstacle is the high initial cost of green technologies, energy-efficient systems and certifications, which deter developers in emerging markets. The skills gap in sustainable construction also hinders progress, as there is a shortage of trained professionals across Africa. Furthermore, Africa’s diverse climates require tailored building solutions, adding complexity and cost to green projects.
Despite these challenges, the shift toward sustainable construction is gaining momentum, driven by innovative financing models and a growing recognition of how sustainable infrastructure can address energy shortages and water crises.
As awareness grows and policies evolve, green building is becoming integral to Africa’s development. In South Africa, numerous new projects are pursuing Green Star and EDGE certifications, with the country leading the region with more than 2.5 million sq m of certified green spaces. Banks also offer Eco Home Loans, incentivising the purchase of EDGE-certified homes.
RLB Africa is aligning with this shift by developing a comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) offering across the industries we serve. With expert guidance from RLB UK and Europe’s ESG team, we will begin providing ESG services in 2025. We aim to help clients reduce carbon footprints, optimise energy efficiency and navigate regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance and creating lasting societal and environmental benefits.
Marili Els
Associate – Quantity Surveyor
RLB South Africa
marili.els@za.rlb.com
In November 2024, RLB North America’s sustainability services leadership team came together in Austin, Texas, to help advance and excel our sustainability offering in the North America region.
This team, in collaboration with RLB UK colleagues, gathered for one week in Austin to prepare and present RLB North America’s first sustainability and embodied carbon report – for a client’s net zero mega-project, the first of its kind in North America.
Our report included the results of a whole-life carbon assessment (WLCA) and recommended strategies to help our client achieve their sustainability goals, such as reducing embodied carbon emissions, pursuing green building certifications, and managing waste responsibly.
Advising on the report’s preparation were RLB UK’s Heather Evans, National Head of Sustainability, and Hesham Ahmad and Matthew Dunne, both Senior Sustainability Consultants. The WLCA technical team, based in London and Manchester, provided guidance on the many technical elements a WLCA requires.
At the same time we also invited RLB colleagues from across North America to Austin to take part in an in-depth sustainability services training workshop. The was led by the RLB UK team who provided detailed instruction on WLCAs.
This training exemplifies the close international networking and knowledge sharing that takes place daily within RLB. The social aspect of this week also offered a platform for breaking down cultural barriers and forging friendships.
Events like this underline the value of intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration and shows how RLB, as a well-connected global practice, is well-placed to achieve its goal of becoming a world leader in sustainability.
Aaron Woodward
Associate Principal
RLB North America
aaron.woodward@us.rlb.com
In Asia, sustainability and climate resilience are increasingly becoming priorities within the built environment, driven by evolving financial regulations and a growing market demand for ESG-aligned properties.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has been instrumental in emphasising the importance of ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices through stringent disclosure requirements. All major listed companies must disclose their emissions targets, including Scope 3 emissions, under a ‘comply or explain’ model aligned with international standards. Consequently, real estate developers are enhancing their ESG strategies, significantly reducing carbon emissions and increasing the social value of their developments.
This shift also affects tenants, especially multinational companies, who are increasingly looking for properties that adhere to strict sustainability criteria to fulfil their ESG commitments and disclosure obligations.
RLB has supported landmark projects that exemplify this shift, including the redevelopment of Taikoo Place in Hong Kong. This project features commercial spaces certified to the highest standards under LEED, WELL and BEAM Plus certifications. Taikoo Place has distinctly earned Hong Kong’s first LEED Communities Gold certification, emphasising its significant social benefits. Our team provided comprehensive cost management services, particularly assessing sustainable procurement strategies, such as green concrete and steel, to reduce embodied carbon. This landmark project demonstrates RLB’s capability to guide and support sustainable urban developments throughout Asia.
Anderson Chan
Managing Director
RLB North Asia
anderson.chan@hk.rlb.com
The undoubted highlight of the last 12 months for RLB’s sustainability team has been the launch of our new global embodied carbon calculation service.
This service, developed by our UK and Europe sustainability centre of excellence, offers clients carbon measurement and decarbonisation planning across the whole building life cycle.
We know that buildings are responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions, and therefore as an industry we have a pivotal role in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development. To be able to make this difference, however, we need to measure, benchmark and implement strategies to reduce our carbon emissions.
Our new service offering gives us this capability by combining our cost management and sustainability expertise with RLB’s independent data, helping our clients achieve their decarbonisation and net zero goals. It follows the RICS WLCA (2nd edition) methodology and is applicable to all regions, sectors and projects.
Since the launch, our UK and Europe sustainability team has grown steadily, doubling in size to 30 in 2024. Our team never fails to make me incredibly proud of their passionate advocacy for sustainability.
As Chair of RLB’s Global Sustainability Committee, I’m equally proud of the progress we’re making as a worldwide organisation to collaborate on best practices and explore new opportunities. We now deliver carbon services across all our regions, providing global expertise, backed by local market insight.
We are delivering transformative sustainability projects, from bespoke refurbishments to £1bn master plans. Besides carbon quantification, our growing service portfolio includes sustainability consultancy, ESG reporting and green building accreditations.
We will continue to innovate and develop new services and tools in response to market and regulatory changes, enabling clients to achieve compliance and financial benefits, and creating better outcomes for communities.
Heather Evans
National Head of Sustainability
RLB UK, Global Sustainability Committee Chair
heather.evans@uk.rlb.com
It was a proud moment for everyone at RLB when a group of our cost managers were invited to lead a lecture on sustainability and embodied carbon at United Arab Emirates University, inspiring students from its College of Engineering. Opportunities like this to educate the next generation of construction professionals are incredibly rewarding for us as an organisation.
In the last year since the launch of our new carbon estimating service, our sustainability-focused team in Dubai, affectionately known as ‘The Green Team’, have been increasingly invited to participate in sustainability events and initiatives across the city. Graduate Quantity Surveyor Aisha Almarzooqi had the privilege to be the MC at the MENA Green Building Awards.
Sam Graham, Managing Director of RLB in the UAE and Qatar, was a speaker at the Sustainability Innovation Forum in Dubai as a member of a panel discussing sustainable urban planning.
Alyaa Al Wahab, Director – Project Management, appeared at Construction Week Middle East’s Leaders in Construction Summit. She highlighted the pivotal role project management consultants play in guiding clients toward sustainability goals by leveraging technologies such as 4D and 5D simulations and advanced analytics to drive decarbonisation.
And I was delighted to be asked to speak at Dubai’s Energy & Sustainability Summit as part of a panel discussing sustainable materials and decarbonising construction sites.
At RLB, we believe we can make a positive difference by facilitating the exchange of knowledge across industries. It demonstrates our commitment to helping to build a greener future for the UAE and beyond.
Seb Davies
Director – Cost Management
seb.davies@ae.rlb.com
Our sustainability services and projects in Oceania are designed to drive positive change, promote innovation and contribute to long-term environmental goals. We offer comprehensive services, from Green Star certification cost guidance to carbon assessments.
One of our key projects is the City of Melbourne Amendment C376 Sustainable Building Design initiative, where we conducted a thorough cost analysis to implement sustainable pathways across various sites, including new and existing commercial and residential buildings. This project highlights our ability to provide detailed cost analysis and practical advice, which will guide the City of Melbourne’s decision-making regarding its planning initiatives.
We are also collaborating with OneClick to provide complete sustainability solutions. Our partnership includes full life cycle assessments (LCAs) to ensure that every aspect of a project’s environmental impact is considered. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and deep expertise, we deliver tailored sustainability solutions that align with global best practices.
As one of the world’s oldest and largest quantity surveying firms, we recognise that cost is just one measure of value. Our approach to sustainability includes linking carbon and cost estimating, identifying key sustainability improvements, and implementing bespoke solutions tailored to client goals, industry benchmarks, market drivers and potential legislative changes. We provide holistic sustainability and carbon assessment services across all project phases, from initial design to asset management. These services include:
By integrating sustainability into every stage of a project, we help clients make informed decisions that align with evolving environmental standards. By focusing on practical solutions and measurable outcomes, our work ensures that sustainability remains a fundamental driver of innovation and long-term success in Oceania’s built environment.
Arif Uzay
Director
arif.uzay@au.rlb.com
