The UK is among the top three countries in the world in working towards zero carbon emissions in the built environment, according to recent research.

New global research from RICS has revealed the UK is among the top three countries in the world in working towards zero carbon emissions in the built environment.

The RICS Global Zero Carbon Capacity Index has for the past three years assessed 34 individual countries on a number of factors. Due to its carbon reduction policies, the UK ranked third in the index, just behind Norway and Brazil. Norway was top for the third year running, while Brazil moved up six places due to low energy use and high contribution of renewable energy.

RICS' research assesses advances towards a decarbonised environment by using three indicators; consumption of energy in the residential, tertiary and transport sectors; the contribution of renewable energy to total primary energy supply (TPES); and the policy frameworks countries have put in place to promote carbon reductions in the built environment.