APC Mandatory - Sustainability

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

Fulfilling the needs of the current generation whilst not comprisimising on the needs of future generations (Brutland report 1987)
Focused on economic growth, environmental care and social wellbeing

Question 2

What are the triple bottom line (TBL) principles?

Answer 2

3 P’s

TBL maintains that companies should commit to focusing as much on environmental concerns as they do on profits. TBL theory posits that instead of one bottom line, there should be three; people, profit, planet in other words social economic and environmental.

Question 3

What does the NPPF say about sustainability development

Answer 3

In reference to 195, reiterates points set out under brutland 1987 and adds things should be conserved in a manner in accordance with their significance. But also highlights importance of planning implications and the requirements to consider social, environmental and economic considerations.

Question 4

Can you tell me about any climate change conventions or protocols?

Answer 4

Kyoto protocol operationalizes United nations framework on climate change. This is now superceded by the Paris agreement. Aims to reduce greenhouse gasses in accordance with individual targets

Question 5

What are the most recent eu/ uk targets relating to sustainability?

Answer 5

17 sustainable development goals (2015). Agreement to eradicate extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice and leave no one behind

Question 6

What is the Paris agreement?

Answer 6

Legally binding international treaty on climate change
Aimed to limit global warming by 2dg Celsius pre industrial levels

Question 7

Explain your understanding of cop 26

Answer 7

Most recent UN climate change conference

Question 8

What RICS guidance relates to sustainability?

Answer 8

GN RICS Sustainability report 2024

RICS PS Sustainability and ESG in Commercial Property Valuation and Strategic Advice 3rd Ed. Eff 31 Jan 22
(Environmental, Social and Governance)

Question 9

Name relevant legislation in the uk for sustainability?

Answer 9

Environmental protection act 1990
Climate change act 2008
Energy act 2011
Minimum energy efficiency standards 2018 (mees)
UK net zero emission law 2019
NDRR 2023v Improvement Releif

Question 10

What did the climate change act 2008 do?

Answer 10

Basis of uk’s approach in tackling/responding to climate change. Requires for co2, emissions and gasses to be reduced

Question 11

What is the renewable heat incentive?

Answer 11

Goverment backed scheme in 2014 to promote use of renewable. Offers payment for qualifying installations of renewable tech paid back over 7 year period

Question 12

Can you give me example of sustainability design feature

Answer 12

Solar panels

Question 13

What do you understand about the energy act 2011

Answer 13

Theoretical way to measure energy performance of building. Paved way for mees 2018

Question 14

Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard [MEES] to me?

Answer 14

Came into force in April 2018
Applies to private rental resi and non domestic property
Aims to encourage landlords and property owners to improve the energy efficiency

Question 15

When were EPCs introduced?

Answer 15

For domestic properties: April 2007
For commercial properties: April 2008

Question 16

What is an EPC energy performance cert?

Answer 16

Summarises energy efficiency rating of property with recommendations on improvements to its energy efficiency. Minimum efficiency is E

Question 17

What is a DEC?

Answer 17

A display energy certificate is an energy assessment required for public properties regularly visited by members of the public (e.g. police stations, hospitals etc.) over 250m2. A copy of the DEC must be displayed in a prominent place which is visible to all visitors. If the building is between 250m2 and 1000m2 in size the DEC is valid for 10 years, if it is over 1000m2 it is valid for 12 months

Question 18

When is an epc required?

Answer 18

All commercial buildings
Sale, lease or refurbishment of resi buldings

Question 19

LRT-BB

Epc exemptions

Answer 19

1) listed buildings
2) religious buildings
3) temp buildings
4) buildings with no htg/cooling
5) due to be demolished

Question 20

What is included in an epc?

Answer 20

Epc rating
Date
Property
Measurement
Energy efficiency rating
Improvements

Question 21

What are the key dates for MEES 2018

Answer 21

All properties must hit above E rating
Apr 23 unlawful to let property even on existing lease with epc F/G
Apr 27 must have epc C or above
Apr 30 must have Epc B or above

Question 22

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 22

10 years

Question 23

Penalties for non complicity with epc?

Answer 23

Policed by LA
Commercial
Less than 3mth up to 5k or 10% of RV up to 50k whichever is higher
More than 3 mth up to 10k or 20% of RV up to 150k whichever is higher.
Residential
Less than 3 mth up to 2k
More than 3 mth up to 4k

Question 24

Which building reg relates to energy efficiency?

Answer 24

Part L conservation of fuel and power

Question 25

What is BREEAM?

Answer 25

Bulding research environmental assessment method
Voluntary assessment method tool for new and refurbished commercial/resi buildings
Rated aginst 9 characteristics
1) energy consumption
2) water use
3) transport links
4) waste management
5) health and wellbeing

Five BREEM ratings
Passgoodv goodexcellent *outstanding

Question 26

What consideration would you apply to fit out for social and wellbeing

Answer 26

Social space
Natural lighting
Temp ctrl
Showers
Refreshments concessions

Question 27

NDDR improvement relief

Answer 27

Eff Apr 24 trial till 28
Relief for expansion if for area, increased efficiency to building or p&m. Must be certified by BA that occ has be in occ for duration of works

Question 28

What is climate change ?

Answer 28

Increased level of greenhouse gasses
Burning of fossil fules traos heat in atmosphere

Question 29

Global Warming v Climate Change

Answer 29

Global warming
Increase in earth’s ave. surface temprature (caused by increase of greenhouse gasses)
Climate Change
Long-term alteration of global weather patterns, mainly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas emissions and leads to global warming and environmental impacts.

Question 30

What are greenhouse gasses

Answer 30

Gasses that trap the suns heat on planet earth

Question 31

Uk net zero emission law 2019

Answer 31

Net zero by 2050

Question 32

How would you measure sustainability of a building

Answer 32

Against KPI’s
Would look at social factors do people come into office every day, if not work out how much kwh per person of energy is being used
Economy factor - how much does building cost to run
Environmental factor - how much energy is consumed

Question 33

What is sustainable building development?

Answer 33

Answer with definition from brutland report…fulfilling needs of current generation whilst not comprisimising future generations

Question 34

What does the redbook say about sustainability?

Answer 34

VPGA 8 where evidence supports, sustainability must be reflected within valuation

Question 35

OEW - N

Operational
Embodied
Whole Life Carbon
Net Zero

Answer 35

Operational Carbon
CO2 emitted from operational carbon use for e.g lighting+heating
Embodied Carbon
CO2 emissions produced, during the creation/transport of components to create the building
Whole Life Carbon
= Total of Operational+Embodies Carbon
Net Zero
Net zero refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively reducing a carbon footprint to zero.

Question 36

Give an example of net zero

Answer 36

An example of net zero is a company that reduces its carbon emissions by switching to renewable energy sources, like solar or wind, and offsets any remaining emissions by investing in projects that capture or absorb CO₂, such as reforestation or carbon capture technology. This way, the total emissions produced are balanced by the amount removed, achieving net zero.

Question 37

ESG

Answer 37

Enviromental
EPC rating, CO2 footprint,v air quality etc
social
Spatial wellbing, occupancy rate,
Governance
Legislation, compliance