Hot Topics Flashcards
What is COP 26 ?
COP26 was the 2021 United Nations climate change conference
For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.
This year was the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. With the UK as President, COP26 took place in Glasgow.
In the run up to COP26 the UK worked with every nation to reach agreement on how to tackle climate change. World leaders arrived in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens for twelve days of talks.
Not only was it a huge task, but it was also not just yet another international summit, with most experts believing that COP26 had a unique urgency.
To understand why, it’s necessary to look back to another COP.
Are you aware of the impact of recent events on steel ?
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/03/11/british-steel-imposes-biggest-ever-instant-price-hike/
What are the changes upcoming regarding fire legislation ?
The Building Safety Bill
The Building Safety Bill, which is currently in progress through Parliament, will modify the way some structures are built, maintained, and made safe. It includes regulatory reforms on fire safety and the quality of construction products as well as a developer levy. Anyone involved with the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings would be affected.
The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent between April and June 2022, with the provisions taking effect in stages. The HSE will oversee the enforcement of the new building safety regime and has already started pressing the affected parties such as designers to get them prepared for these changes.
What new act is soon to be released regarding the environment ?
In November 2021, the Environment Bill was passed as the Environment Act 2021, establishing a post-Brexit framework for environmental governance, primarily in England. The Act establishes a road map for future legislation and standards, including legally enforceable targets on air pollution, biodiversity, water quality, and waste management.
Businesses of all sizes may already begin preparing by examining their existing processes for monitoring and managing environmental processes, as well as keeping environmental management high on their agenda.
What are Net Zero targets ?
From October 2021, all businesses applying for government contracts worth more than £5 million per year are required by law to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The new rules, set out in Public Policy Note 06/21, mean organisations will need to create a carbon reduction plan detailing where their emissions come from and what environmental management measures they have in place.
Under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, many large businesses already self-report Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect owned) carbon emissions. However, the new targets will push them to go much further. This entails agreeing to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, as well as reporting Scope 3 pollutants such as business travel, employee commuting, transportation, distribution and waste.
The requirements are currently only applicable to government contracts, but they may be included in the Common Assessment Standard in 2022.
What are the current issues in relation to materials ?
In 2021, the Department for Business and Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Monthly Statistic of Building and Components reported monthly price increases. According to the Construction Leadership Council, product supply has improved in certain regions, while the Timber Trade Federation is now receiving historic levels of timber imports; nevertheless, supplies will still be strained in 2022.
A lack of HGV drivers to transport goods is also a problem, with few applications for the 10,500 visas for overseas lorry drivers made available recently by the Government. Jobs are still being delayed according on an FMB poll.
Are you aware of the update to the rules of conduct ? can you expand on these and the main changes ?
Now more than ever, professionalism matters. We are making it easier for clients and the public to choose skilled experts and have confidence in what to expect when they hire an RICS professional. As market trends change, the way RICS professionals qualify and practice is also evolving to deliver confidence and address real market challenges with ethical business practices.
The RICS Rules of Conduct are changing to help the global profession respond to new risks and opportunities. The existing Rules of Conduct, which have been in place for RICS members and regulated firms since 2007, have been updated following extensive research and consultation.
The following changes will bring our ethical standards into one clear framework.
A simpler structure. We are making it easier for RICS members and firms to understand our rules, providing more confidence for clients and the public.
Clear examples. We want to support members’ professional judgement, so each Rule is illustrated with examples of how members and firms can behave to comply with the Rule. There are also 12 case studies showing real-life application of the Rules.
Focusing on respect, diversity and inclusion. Whether it’s encouraging diversity and inclusion, or tackling modern slavery, respect and courtesy underpin all our professional ethics.
Understanding evolving technology. The Rules highlight the importance of understanding the evolving use of data and technology, and the associated benefits and risks.
Tackling global challenges. The Rules show that ethical practice by RICS members and firms has an important role when it comes to global challenges, including creating sustainable development and tackling climate change.
Are you aware of the updates in relation to the Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work regulations ?
On 6 April 2022 the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022) came into force. They amend the 1992 Regulations (PPER 1992).
They extend employers’ and employees’ duties regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) to limb (b) workers.
Under PPER 2022, the types of duties and responsibilities on employers and employees under PPER 1992 remain unchanged but are extended to limb (b) workers, as defined in PPER 2022.
If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on the use of PPE.
A limb (b) worker now has a duty to use the PPE in accordance with their training and instruction, and ensure it is returned to the storage area provided by their employer.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/ppe-regulations-2022.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ppe-regs&utm_term=ppe-headline&utm_content=digest-17-may-22
Can you expand on your knowledge of the RICS NRM update ?
NRM 1 has been revised to interface with new developments, so that clients can be advised of and have confidence in the quality and consistency of the cost information being provided to them.
For NRM 2, we have taken user feedback into consideration for this latest edition. We are publishing this revised edition of NRM 2 shortly before the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of SMM in 1922 – a milestone in long-standing guidance for surveyors.
There are also supporting documents available as downloadable Excel files to assist users with the preparation of estimates and cost plans that are in accordance with NRM 2.
With NRM 3 we have linked the cost analysis of the capital cost of a construction project with consideration of whole-life-cycle costing, and provided the tools to enable a seamless transfer of cost information from the construction team to the asset management team. In this respect, the use of BIM increasingly plays a significant part in the analysis of cost information, and revisions in this edition acknowledge the move from PAS 1192 to ISO 19650.
As with NRM 1 and NRM 2, there are supporting documents available as downloadable Excel files to assist users with the preparation of estimates and cost plans that are in accordance with NRM 3.
https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/construction/nrm/
Are you aware of any RICS Reviews ?
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Governing Council has appointed Lord Michael Bichard to lead an independent review into the Institution’s Purpose, Governance and Strategy.
The Bichard RICS Review will make firm recommendations on the purpose and governance structure of RICS, and provide advice on values, culture and strategy for an incoming leadership team and Governing Council to take forward.
What is the Building Safety Act ? and its status ?
After many months of deliberation and argument, the Building Safety Bill completed its passage through the House of Lords on 26 April 2022 and received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The Building Safety Act 2022 (Act) marks a fundamental change of approach to building safety that applies from a building’s design stage and throughout its lifecycle.
The Act introduces a new regulatory building safety regime and measures to deal with higher risk buildings in England (the approach of Scotland and Wales is different). The new regime will, once implemented, include three “gateways” through which each building project must pass to ensure building safety requirements and clear responsibilities are met before the project can progress to the next stage.
New provisions will govern construction products and the management of building fire safety risks, as well as competency standards. The Act also aims to provide statutory protections for leaseholders including (in most circumstances) protection from the cost of fixing historic building safety risks. Where an affected building’s developer, owner or freeholder is not found or made liable, costs for remedying such risks will be paid from the fund established by the government using the proceeds of a developer levy. The Act enables the government to take action against those who do not pay for remedial works.
Key roles established (or soon to be established) under the Act include the HSE as Building Safety Regulator (with the HSE’s Peter Baker appointed as Chief Inspector of Buildings), a national regulator for construction products (which has been established within the Office for Product Safety and Standards), the Architects Registration Board that has the power to monitor architects’ competence, the New Homes Quality Board and the New Homes Ombudsman.
What is the governments targets with regards to sustainability and environment plan ?
- Clean air
- Clean and plentiful water
- Thriving plants and wildlife
- Reducing the risks of harm from environmental hazards
- Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently
- Enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment
- Mitigating and adapting to climate change
- Minimising waste
- Managing exposure to chemicals
- Enhancing biosecurity
Are you aware of any new materials being trialled for use ?
UK’s first cement free masonry mortar launched.
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/10/31/uks-first-cement-free-masonry-mortar-launched/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
