iMasons Climate Accord (iCA) is working with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a leading professional body working in the public interest to advance knowledge, uphold standards, and shape the future of the built and natural environment. This three-year collaboration aims to drive decarbonization and promote sustainable practices across the industry.
Robyn McKenna, RICS Chief Product Development Officer, shares:
“We’re excited to collaborate with the iMasons Climate Accord to accelerate sustainability in digital infrastructure. This new collaboration supports our mission to drive decarbonization across the built environment, fostering innovation and reducing carbon impact as we work together toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future for our industry.”
Santiago Suinaga, CEO of Infrastructure Masons, noted:
“Digital infrastructure is the backbone of our connected world and AI rapid growth has challenged sustainability goals, critical for our future. Partnering with RICS allows us to align global standards, drive measurable carbon reduction, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across the industry. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for responsible growth with an economic and environmental balance in digital infrastructure.”
Why is this Collaboration Important?
The global data center construction market is rapidly expanding across different regions, driven by rising demand for data infrastructure and services. In 2023, the market was valued at $61.84 billion and is projected to reach $113.62 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.67%. This rapid expansion presents both opportunities and challenges for RICS-regulated firms and members.
Data centers are major energy consumers—a large-scale hyperscale data center can use as much power as approximately 80,000 households. This substantial energy consumption, combined with the increasing demand for data centers, places immense pressure on the industry to adopt sustainable practices. As governments and regulators impose stricter sustainability standards on new data center developments, it is essential for our respective firms and members to adapt and lead the way.
This collaboration positions iCA and RICS members at the forefront of sustainability conversations within the digital infrastructure sector. Many members are already engaged in both organizations, including leading firms such as Colliers, CBRE, Turner & Townsend (T&T), Linesight, and Gleeds. This agreement provides them with a platform to showcase their expertise in sustainable practices, including WLCA methodologies, to a global audience through joint initiatives.
Anil Sawhney, RICS Head of Sustainability, said:
“The built world and digital world are becoming increasingly intertwined. As digitalization and AI adoption drive data center demand, RICS and the iMasons Climate Accord are joining forces to make digital infrastructure more sustainable.”
As an iCA Champion Mover, RICS members will have access to exclusive webinars, thought leadership, and resources developed in collaboration with iCA. This partnership also enhances RICS’ visibility in the digital infrastructure sector, offering members opportunities to engage with iCA’s leadership, including through initiatives like their planned webinar which is scheduled for June 4 from 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM PDT (online).
To learn more about the growth and environmental impacts of data centers, read RICS’ article: “Data Centers: Impacts of the Rapid Rise of This Asset Class.”
For updates on this collaboration and how you can contribute to shaping the future of sustainable digital infrastructure, visit the iMasons Climate Accord.
About Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) and the iMasons Climate Accord (iCA)
iMasons and the iCA participants represent $200 billion in infrastructure projects across more than 130 countries. They include some of the largest organizations working in digital infrastructure (primarily data centers), such as AWS, Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
The iMasons Climate Accord—an initiative launched by the iMasons Advisory Council in 2022—aims to enable accurate carbon accounting, a foundational step toward effective carbon reduction, aligning with the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) standard. Membership in this coalition allows organizations to showcase and promote their sustainability standards, guidance, and initiatives while collaborating with industry peers.
About Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is a leading professional body working in the public interest to advance knowledge, uphold standards, and inspire current and future professionals. Its members help create and maintain built and natural environments that are sustainable, resilient, and empowering for all. With a heritage of over 150 years, RICS sets the standard for over 140,000 members and candidates operating in the development and management of land, real estate, construction, and infrastructure across more than 140 countries globally.