SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH IS A RESEARCH DEGREE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU OR YOUR ORGANISATION TO HELP THE PROFESSION MEET ITS TARGETS? “WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS, WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN”.
T
his thought-provoking quote got me
And if not, how should we upskill as surveyors to be
thinking about whether we, as
at the forefront of this crucial area of knowledge for
surveyors, know how we can best
the future of the profession? This article suggests
deliver on the UN Sustainable Development
that the best option for some across the
Goals (SDGs)? And if not, what are we doing to
surveying sector is a structured piece of research
develop and pass on knowledge to the next
targeted at individual professional development
generation of surveyors?
or an organisation-specific aim.
A recent article in the RICS publication Modus (‘Accelerating progress on climate action’, Louise
Collaboration and specialisation
Scott, PWC) proposed the SDGs as a framework
Sustainability has become a common term in
for the surveying sector to respond to climate
construction and valuation circles. The SCSI has formed
action. Scott notes that with 17 goals, and almost
a Sustainable Development Group. Emer Byrne, TU Dublin
170 targets, the SDGs are a framework that can
lecturer and vice chair of the group, notes the growing
be used as the lens through which organisations
importance of the SDGs to the surveying industry. They cover
think about, plan and conduct their business.
the traditional areas of construction through the industry,
This is not a new idea. Many organisations in the
innovation and infrastructure goal, and achieving affordable
surveying sector have been engaging with these
housing through the sustainable cities and community goal.
principles for many years and have been
Other goals such as climate action, and responsible
embedding them into their organisation’s
consumption and production, have broader targets
strategy. Indeed, TU Dublin’s Strategic Plan
applicable across many aspects of the surveying industry.
revolves
and
With such broad goals it is important for organisations and
Partnership’, with targets closely aligned to the
individuals to specialise in the elements they wish to lead
SDGs. But are we or our employees embracing
on to be in the best position to advise their clients. For
these challenges to deliver on these targets?
many organisations or individuals that route may be
around
‘People,
Planet
through a research-focused study relevant to their own
FEATURE Frank Harrington Head of Real Estate, Assistant Head of School of Surveying and Construction Management, TU Dublin
26
SURVEYORS JOURNAL Volume 10, Issue 4, Winter 2020
specific objectives. TU Dublin aims to collaborate with industry to produce research on specific issues that organisations require, and will work with individuals or organisations to develop a research plan. In line with the TU Dublin Strategic Plan, this is particularly the case with issues relating to sustainable development.
