PE Sustainability Flashcards
What is the most commonly used definition of sustainable development?
Bruntland report - sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What are the key concepts of sustainable development?
Needs - particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overring priority should be given
Limitations - imposed by state of technology and social organisation on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs
What are the triple bottom line principles?
Economic
Social
Environmental
When did the UN introduce the first convention on climate change?
1992
What is the Kyoto Protocol and when was it agreed?
1997 - target for 37 countries to reduce emissions by average 5% below 1990 for period 2008-2012
What did the UK agree to as part of the Kyoto protocol?
12.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Was the Kyoto protocol successful?
Emissions overall reduced by 10% but not enough to offset increasing emissions from other industrialising countries so total global emissions grew
What happened after 2012?
Second Kyoto commitment period 2013-2020 - fewer countries signed up, although UK and EU are
What is the latest agreement on CC?
Paris Agreement 2015
What is the aim of the Paris agreement?
To hold increase in global average temperature to 2c below pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5c
What are the EU’s current climate change targets?
20:20:20 for 2020 targets and larger reductions for 2030, climate-neutral by 2050
What is COP26?
A conference to bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
What UK legislation was enacted as a result of the Paris Agreement?
Climate Change Act 2008
What is the key target of the Climate Change Act?
Originally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, but now the commitment to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050
How will the Climate Change Act be pursued?
Legally binding carbon budgets (cap on greenhouse gases emitted in UK over 5 year period), set as least 12 years in advance to allow for preparation
Did the Infrastructure Act 2015 introduce any climate change initatives?
Committee on Climate Change have a duty to advise UK Government on implications of expoliting onshore petroleum including shale gas to meet UK Carbon budgets
What is the renewable heat incentive and under hat act was it introduced?
Energy Act 2011 - 20 year subsidy paid to non-domestic renewable heat generators
What legislation led to the introduction of EPCs?
EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and UK Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations
When is an EPC required?
When a building is built, sold or rented
What does an EPC include?
Energy Rating (A-G)
Energy Use
Typical energy costs
Recommendations about how to reduce consumption
Can you charge prospective tenants or buyers for a copy of an EPC?
Commercial premises > 500 sq m frequently visited by the public
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
When is an EPC not required?
- Place of worship
- Temporary buildings (< 2 years)
- Stand alone building with total useful floor space <50 sq m
- Industrial sites, work-shops and non-resi agricultural buildings with low energy use
- Some buildings due to be demolished
- Holiday accommodation rented out for less than 4 months per year or let under a licence to occupy
- Listed buildings
- Residential buildings used less than 4 months per year
Where would you source an EPC from that already exists?
Public register
Ask the seller/lessor
What are the penalties for not having a valid EPC
- Failure to provide to a prospective buyer/tenant - fine of 12.5% of rateable value, capped at £5,000 with a default penalty of £750 where formula can’t be applied
£200 fine for failure for provide EPC to enforcement authority within 7 days
When do you need a DEC & how long is it valid for?
Public buildings over 250 sq m occupied by public authority and frequently visited by the public
10 years if over 250 sq m, must be renewed annually if over 1,000 sq m (although advisory report is valid for 7 years)
What does MEES stand for?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard
What are the implications of MEES?
Can’t grant new lease/renewal lease of F&G rated property by 2018 or have existing leases of F&G rated property by 2023
Do any buildings fall outside the scope of MEES?
EPC not required, e.g. a place of worship, low energy demand industrial sites or workshops, non-residential agricutlural buildings
EPC over 10 years old or not held
Tenancy under 6 months with no security of tenure
Tenancy over 99 years
Are there any exemptions from MEES?
Golden Rule - EPC rating not improved to E or above despite all improvements being made with payback of 7 years or less
Devaluation - improvements would reduce market value by over 5%
Third party consent by a tenant, superior landlord or planning authority refused or conditionality cannot be reasonably met by the landlord
What is the maximum penalty for non-compliance wih MEES?
£150,000 per breach per property
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What is BREEAM?
Voluntary scheme of environmental impact for non-domestic buildings, refurbishment and in-use
What part of the Building Regulations relate to conservation of power and fuel?
L
What is ESOS?
Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme - next qualification date is 2018
What is CRC?
Carbon Reduction Commitment - it was closed after the 2018/2019 compliance year
What is CSR?
Corporate Social Responsibility - taking into account social, environment and economic aspects to underpin value and performance
What is an EMS?
Environmental Management System e.g. ISO 14001:2015 - standards to management environmental responsiblities
What guidance do RICS provide on sustainability and property valuation?
Guidance note sustainability and commercial property valuation (2nd edition)
Should valuers reflect sustainability characteristics in valuations?
Yes - to extent that informed and well-advised purchaser would account for them
What method could you use to compare a sustainable v non-sustainable building in a valuation?
DCF
What is a green lease?
Mutual obligations on landlord and tenant to achieve sustainability goals
What is a memorandum of understanding?
Way of agreeing shared goals/benefits, who pays and who benefits in relation to sustainability clauses
What does RICS SKA assess?
Fit out
When was the Code for Sustainable Homes last updated?
Abolished in 2014
What is not one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Green buildings
What does Approved Document S relate to?
Installation and charge point requirements for electric vehicles
