Realtors Association pushes climate‑smart training

The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ), in partnership with the US-based National Association of Realtors (NAR), has launched the first GREEN Designation course in the English-speaking Caribbean — an important step in the sector’s shift towards sustainable real estate.

The programme, to be delivered as a two-day course beginning in June, is open to realtors and non-realtors islandwide. It will equip participants with the tools and international standards needed to meet rising demand for energy-efficient, environmentally responsible development. Only licensed realtors, however, will earn the official GREEN Designation.

The certification signals professional competence in energy efficiency, sustainable building practices and eco-friendly property management.

“Launching the course is the perfect way to celebrate the RAJ’s 60th Anniversary. It’s our gift back to the industry, a commitment that says we’ve been here for 60 years, and we are building for the next 60 and beyond,” said Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson, President of the RAJ. “We have Jamaicanised the original course through our partnership with NAR, and we’ve trained a local expert who is certified to localise and teach the curriculum.”

The announcement was made last week during a high-level sustainability panel at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, bringing together leaders across real estate, development and finance.

Its launch comes at a pivotal moment, following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation across western Jamaica and amid a surge of residential and commercial developments reshaping the island. With rebuilding under way, the RAJ is placing sustainability and long-term environmental stewardship at the centre of sector growth.

“Jamaican realtors are committed to ongoing education; we have the largest number of Certified International Property Specialist designation holders in any one association per member in the world,” Gilpin-Hudson said. “By earning the GREEN Designation, our members will gain specialised knowledge and access to a network of resources that will help them grow their business and become the trusted go-to realtors for clients who prioritise sustainability and high-performance home features.”

The panel marked the first in a series of sustainability-focused events planned for the RAJ’s 60th anniversary. These include a tree-planting ceremony in April, the GREEN Designation course and a guided tour of a sustainable property in June, and a Green Financing Summit later in the year.

Panellists explored climate risk, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, the use of artificial intelligence, data-driven planning and the policies needed to support responsible development.

Dr Rochelle Channer Miller, senior lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, and president of the Association of Land Economy and Valuation Surveying, noted that buyers are increasingly discerning, using AI and broader datasets to inform decisions that often carry multi-generational implications.

Dayton Wood, chairman of the Jamaica Developers Association, stressed that the impact of Hurricane Melissa underscored the need for strict adherence to building codes – an issue he said hinges on education and enforcement.

Gregory Bennett, deputy CEO of the Spatial Planning Division at the National Environment and Planning Agency, emphasised that realtors play an important role in identifying and communicating key planning and environmental considerations. These include site appraisal, zoning rules, development standards, geotechnical risks, resilience factors and areas designated as environmentally sensitive, such as flood prone zones, coastal lands and no-build areas.

Latoya Williams, assistant vice president for Lending Solutions and Business Services at the VM Building Society, said financing ultimately shapes what gets built, how it is constructed and who has access to it. “As a financial institution with a long legacy in supporting homeownership, we recognise that we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to support the transition towards more sustainable development practices,” she said.

“That means encouraging energy-efficient housing solutions, supporting developments that consider environmental impact, and working with our partners to ensure that sustainability is not just seen as a premium but a standard.”

Against growing climate risk, the RAJ says its sustainability push has national relevance. “Sustainability must be embedded into every stage of development, from planning to execution,” Gilpin-Hudson stated. “The future of our country depends on decisions that prioritise resilience and environmental responsibility, and the RAJ is happy to work with the local stakeholders to get the job done.”