Mandatory - Sustainability L1

Question 1

What is the Brundtland Report and when was it published?

Answer 1

Published in 1987 and introduced the concept of sustainable development and how this can be achieved.

Question 2

What is the Bruntland Report’s definition of sustainable development?

Answer 2

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 3

What are the Brundtland Report’s 3 Main Pillars of Sustainability?

Answer 3

The Environmental Pillar - measuring a business’ carbon footprint
The Social Pillar - Acknowledging social issues, promoting solidarity and fostering a safe workplace
The Economic Pillar - aims to maintain capital intact and refers to efficient use of company assets.

Question 4

What is an Earth Summit?

Answer 4

Meetings of world leaders, held every ten years, to help define ways to stimulate sustainable development at a global level.

Question 5

When and where was the first Earth Summit held?

Answer 5

Rio De Janeiro in 1992

Question 6

What is Climate Change?

Answer 6

UN Definition - “climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns”

Question 7

What has been the main driver of climate change since the 1800’s?

Answer 7

Human activities, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels which produce heat trapping gases.

Question 8

What is a fossil fuel?

Answer 8

A carbon-rich, non-renewable, finite energy source that comes from the remains of plants an animals that lived millions of years ago.

Question 9

What are the main greenhouse gases?

Answer 9

Carbon dioxide and Methane

Question 10

What are some of the main sectors causing greenhouse gases?

Answer 10

Energy, Industrial, Transport, Buildings, Agricultural and Land Use

Question 11

What is Conference of the Parties (COP)?

Answer 11

A governing body for international convention or treaty, made up of the conventions member states to review/implement convention or make decisions to promote effective implementation.

Question 12

When and where was the last COP held?

Answer 12

November 2023 in Dubai. November 2024 COP held in Baku.

Question 13

What does the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 implement?

Answer 13

Part 1 - statutory framework for greenhouse gases in Scotland
Part 2 - provisions which allow Scottish Ministers to establish a Scottish Committee on climate change
Part 3 - duty on Scottish Ministers to report regularly to the Scottish Parliament on Scotland’s emissions.
Part 4 - places climate change duties on public bodies
Part 5 - provisions on climate change including energy efficiency and waste reduction
Part 6 - public engagement and includes provision on carbon assessment

Question 14

What is Section 63 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009?

Answer 14

Applies to the sale or lease of buildings in Scotland and only applies to buildings which are over 1,000 sqm.
EPC provided to determine if a building meets a certain standard of if a further assessment is required - this is known as the Section 63 Assessment.

Question 15

Are there any exemptions to Section 63?

Answer 15

• Buildings less than 1,000 sqm
• Buildings above/equal to energy standards of 2002 Scottish Building Regulations
• Temporary buildings with intended life of two years or less
• Workshops/Agricultural buildings/buildings sold for demolition as they have low energy demands

Question 16

What does the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 set out?

Answer 16

Repealed the 2009 Act - now in Scotland carbon emissions are aiming to be net zero by 2045.
75% carbon emission reduction by 2030
90% carbon emission reduction by 2040

Question 17

What are the Assessment for Energy Performance in Non-Domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016

Answer 17

Regulations made under Section 63 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

Question 18

What is the Heat Build Standard?

Answer 18

From the 1st April 2024 no new homes or major renovations to use fossil fuel heat systems - this will not affect the existing housing stock until 2045.

Question 19

What is the Energy Act 2023?

Answer 19

Lays out the provision regarding energy production and security and regulation of the energy market

Question 20

What Act allows the community to purchase shares in large renewable projects?

Answer 20

Infrastructure Act 2015

Question 21

What is the Paris Agreement and when was it implemented?

Answer 21

Implemented in 2015, it is a COP initiative to ensure that global temperature rise is limited to 1.5C since pre-industrial levels

Question 22

What does BREEAM stand for?

Answer 22

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 23

How is BREEAM certified?

Answer 23

Unclassified, Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding

Question 24

What does BREEAM do?

Answer 24

Assesses 12 categories for sustainable value, such as:-
Management
Water
Energy
Transport
Health and Wellbeing
Resources
Resilience
Land Use and Ecology
Pollution
Materials
Waste
Innovation

Question 25

How many stages is BREEAM assessed over and what are they?

Answer 25

2: design and post-construction

Question 26

What is LEED?

Answer 26

LEED is a global initiative that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
It is the world’s most widely used green rating system and certification provides a framework for health highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.

Question 27

What is IBOS?

Answer 27

The International Building Operation Standard is an RICS directive that has been implemented after RICS transferred their duties under SKA to SKA Ltd in February 2024.
It is a data-based approach used to support measurement and management of buildings for strategic decision making.

Question 28

What are the five key IBOS pillars?

Answer 28

Compliance
Economics
Functionality
Sustainability
Performance

Question 29

When was the first edition of IBOS published?

Answer 29

2022, with reissue in January 2023

Question 30

What is an EPC?

Answer 30

Energy Performance Certificate - all domestic properties required to have one in Scotland since 2008.
It is valid for 10 years.
There MUST be a new EPC for each new tenancy.
Rated A (Best) to G (Worst) - minimum E rating for rented property.

Question 31

What is a DEC?

Answer 31

Display Energy Certificate
- required in public buildings over 250 sqm
- rated A to G
- Valid for 10 years in buildings between 250 sqm and 1000 sqm
- Valid for 1 year for buildings over 1000 sqm

Question 32

Where does RVJB display their DEC and what is the grade?

Answer 32

It is displayed in the foyer area noticeboard and is graded D.

Question 33

What is the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)?

Answer 33

An assessment whereby carbon emissions are reported over the lifecycle of a built asset.

Question 34

What are the five stages identified in the WLCA for a buildings lifecycle?

Answer 34

1. Production
2. Construction
3. Operation
4. End of Life
5. Beyond Asset Life

Question 35

Can you name any new research regarding sustainability?

Answer 35

• International Energy Agency - report that 40% of global carbon emissions are from the built environment and that 27% are from building operations.
• Survey carried out by CBRE (2022) shows that premiums are more likely to be paid for environmental building features.

Question 36

How does RVJB promote sustainability?

Answer 36

Passive Infra-red Sensors (PIRs) for lighting
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV’s) on radiators
Access Ramp for accessibility
Health and Wellbeing Policies.