KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ), in collaboration with the United States-based National Association of Realtors (NAR), has launched the first GREEN Designation course in the English-speaking Caribbean, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the Jamaican real estate sector.

The announcement was made during a high-level green sustainability panel discussion hosted at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, bringing together influential voices across real estate, development and finance.

The GREEN Designation programme will be delivered as a two-day training course starting in June. It is designed for realtors and non-realtors across Jamaica and will equip participants with the tools and global standards required to meet rising demand for sustainable, energy-efficient development. However, only realtors will earn the GREEN Designation title.

“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 timing of the GREEN Designation is significant, following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation across western Jamaica and a wave of residential and commercial development reshaping the island’s landscape. As rebuilding and growth accelerate, the RAJ is placing sustainability and long-term environmental responsibility at the centre of the real estate sector.

“Jamaican realtors are committed to ongoing education; we have the largest number of Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation holders in any one association per member in the world,” announced Gilpin-Hudson. “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 discussion is the first in a series of sustainability events and activations during the association’s 60th anniversary, setting the tone for sustained industry engagement on the future of development in Jamaica. Included in the planning is a tree planting ceremony in April, the GREEN Designation course in June, which culminates in a guided tour of a purpose-built sustainable property, and a Green Financing Summit.

The panel discussion facilitated critical dialogue around climate risk, energy efficiency, sustainable construction practices, artificial intelligence, data, and the policy direction required to support responsible growth.

Dr Rochelle Channer Miller, senior lecturer at the University of Technology and president of the Association of Land Economy and Valuation Surveying (ALEVS), pointed out that real estate buyers are more discerning and are using artificial intelligence (AI) and engaging with more information to make buying decisions a multi-generational legacy.

Board Chairman of the Jamaica Developers Association Ltd, Dayton Wood highlighted that in reviewing the impact of Hurricane Melissa and looking ahead, a sustainable Jamaican means adhering to the building codes, which comes down to education and enforcement.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Spatial Planning Division at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Gregory Bennett, noted that from a planning and environmental perspective, there are key details realtors can identify and communicate to clients. These include site appraisal, zoning policies, development standards and guidelines, geotechnical and resilience issues, as well as areas designated as environmentally sensitive, such as flood-prone zones, coastal areas and no-build zones.

Latoya Williams, the assistant vice president of lending solutions and business services at the Mortgage and Lending Centre – VM Building Society, noted that financing plays a critical role in shaping what gets built, how it is built and who has access. And, over time, that shapes entire communities.

“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,” said Williams. “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 a backdrop of mounting climate risk, RAJ’s green initiatives carry a broader national significance.

“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.”