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RICS APC - Mandatory Competencies > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is sustainability?

A

The Bruntland report (1992) definition is considered to be widely accepted;

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

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2
Q

What are the three core triple bottom line principles of sustainability?

A
  1. Social
  2. Economic
  3. Environmental
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3
Q

What is BREEAM?

A

It is a sustainability assessment method that is used for master planning infrastructure and building projects.

It sets standards for the environmental performance of buildings through the design, specification, construction and operation phases and can be applied to new developments or refurbishment schemes.

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4
Q

What does BREEAM measure?

A

It focuses on sustainable value across range of categories:

  • Energy
  • Waste
  • Water
  • Materials
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Transport
  • Land use and ecology
  • Pollution
  • Management
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5
Q

How is BREEAM assessed?

A

By independent licensed assessors that carry out an assessment of a scheme and each of the criteria is scored and then multiplied by a weighting.

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6
Q

What are the two assessment/certification stages?

A
  1. Design stage assessment - which results in an
    interim certificate.
  2. Post construction assessment - resulting in a final
    certificate.
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7
Q

What are the scores / classifications for BREEAM?

A
  • Unclassified (<30%),
  • Pass (>30%),
  • Good (>45%),
  • Very Good (>55%),
  • Excellent (>70%)
  • Outstanding (>85%)
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8
Q

Why is BREEAM beneficial for your client?

A

It enables a client or other stakeholder to compare an individual building’s performance with other BREEAM rated buildings and the typical sustainability performance of new non- domestic buildings in the UK.

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9
Q

When is it used?

A

•Clients may stipulate the use of BREAAM.
•Local Authorities may also stipulate BREEAM.
certification either; as part of their local plan or a
specific planning condition imposed on developments.
• The UK Government’s Construction Strategy makes it
clear that an environmental assessment should be
carried out on all public projects with the aim of
achieving an Excellent rating in BREEAM.

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10
Q

What Kyoto Protocol?

A

Kyoto Protocol (1997)
• An international agreement that called for
industrialised nations to reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions significantly.
• It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, and
became international law in 2005.

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11
Q

What is the Climate Change Act?

A

Climate Change Act (2008)
• Established a framework for the government to
deliver on emissions targets and prepare for future
risks.
• It set legally binding targets to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions in the UK by at least 80% by
2050, from 1990 levels.
• Introduced carbon budgets, which put legally
binding limits on the amount of greenhouse gases
the UK can emit over a five-year period.
•Five carbon budgets have been put into law that
run ​up to 2032.

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12
Q

What has been the outcome of the Carbon Budget?

A

First Carbon Budget (2009-2012)
• The UK successfully reduces carbon emissions by
25% of 1990 levels.

Second Carbon Budget (2013-2017)
• The UK outperforms its second carbon budget
target of 31%. Emissions are 43% below 1990 levels.

Third Carbon Budget (2018-2022)
• The UK’s 3rd carbon budget is set at 37%. The CCC
expects to outperform this by 2022.

Fourth Carbon Budget (2023-2027)
• UK’s carbon budget is set at 50%.

Fifth Carbon Budget (2028-2032)
• UK’s carbon budget is set at 57%.

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13
Q

What is the Paris Agreement?

A

Paris Agreement (2015)
• Legally binding international treaty on climate
change. It was adopted by 196 Parties in Paris.
• Aims to limit global warming to well below 2,
preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-
industrial levels.
• Reach global peaking of greenhouse gas
emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate
neutral world by mid-century.
• landmark in the multilateral climate change
process because, for the first time, a binding
agreement brings all nations into a common cause.

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14
Q

What is the Clean Growth Strategy?

A

Clean Growth Strategy (2017)
• Aims to accelerate the pace of ‘clean growth’ in
two ways: by decreasing emissions, and by
increasing economic growth.
• The strategy covers the fourth and fifth carbon
budgets, spanning 2023-2027 and 2028-2032.
• Plans include greenhouse gas removal
technologies, improving the energy efficiency of
homes and ending the sale of new petrol and
diesel vehicles by 2040.

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15
Q

What are Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards?

A

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) 2015
• Improve the quality of private rented buildings and
reduce the overall CO2 emissions in accordance
with the UKs targets for decarbonisation.
• From 1st April 2018, It is now deemed unlawful to
let properties with an EPC rating below an ‘E’ rating.
• 20%-25% of residential and commercial properties
in England and Wales hitting or falling below the
minimum standards.
• The standard could be raised further to a D rating
by 2025 and a C rating by 2030.
• Amendment to MEES regulations, from 1st April
2019, the ‘no cost to the landlord’ provision will no
longer be available (cost cap of £3,500 +VAT).
• In 2020 - MEES regulation will extend to ALL
residential privately rented property which are
required to have an EPC.
• In 2023 - MEES regulation will be extended to
include ALL existing commercial leases.

Landlords can register an exemption in order to remain compliant with MEES regulation, despite their property not meeting the standards. All exemptions last 5 years.

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16
Q

What are Energy Performance Certificates?

A

Introduced in England and Wales in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed.

It sets out the energy efficiency rating of a property with recommendations on improving its energy efficiency.

An EPC contains:
• Information about a property’s energy use and typical
energy costs
• Recommendations about how to reduce energy use
and save money

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17
Q

What is the format of an EPC?

A

It comes in the form of a certificate showing energy efficiency rating and carbon emissions of a building from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient) and a
recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon
technologies) to improve the energy rating of the building.

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18
Q

How is an EPC certificate obtained?

A

To obtain an EPC an accredited energy assessor is required to conduct an energy assessment.

The energy assessor will need to access all rooms as well as the loft. They are also required to inspect heating systems and controls, take measurements and take photographs of all key data included in the survey.

19
Q

What buildings do EPCs apply to?

A

EPCs are applicable to all buildings when
constructed, rented or sold. EPCs must be displayed for commercial premises greater than 500m² frequently visited by the public.

20
Q

How long is an EPC certificate valid for?

A

An EPC is valid for 10 years.

The EPC will expire after 10 years and a new EPC (valid for the next 10 years) should be produced if the property is marketed for sale or rent at that time.

21
Q

What buildings do not need an EPC?

A

• Places of worship.
• Temporary buildings - used for less than 2 years.
• Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of
less than 50 square metres.
• Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential
agricultural buildings that do not use a lot of energy.
• Some buildings that are due to be demolished.
• Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than
4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy.
• Listed buildings - you should get advice from your
local authority conservation officer if the work would
alter the building’s character.
• Residential buildings intended to be used less than 4
months a year.

22
Q

What are Display Energy Certificates?

A

DECs are designed to show the actual energy
usage of public buildings.

DECs rate the actual or operational energy performance of a building against established benchmarks and take into consideration the ways in which occupants use the building.

23
Q

What Buildings need DECs?

A

Public authorities must have a DEC for a building if all the following are true;

  1. It’s at least partially occupied by a public authority
    (e. g. council, leisure centre, college, NHS trust).
  2. It has a total floor area of over 250m².
  3. It’s frequently visited by the public.

Private organisations don’t need a DEC but can choose to get one if they wish.

24
Q

How long do DECs last?

A

DECs last for 1 year for buildings with a total useful floor area more than 1000m².

They last for 10 years when the total useful floor area is between 250m² - 1000m².

25
Q

Where can the DEC be found?

A

Public authorities must display their DEC in a prominent place clearly visible to the public, e.g. near the building’s entrance.

26
Q

What is the penalty for failing to comply?

A

£500 for failing to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.

£1,000 for failing to have possession of a valid advisory report.

27
Q

Can you tell me more about Part L?

A

Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power.

• It is broken down in 4 parts.

Part L1 A = Conservation of Fuel and Power in a new Dwellings.

Part L1 B = Conservation of Fuel and Power in an Existing Dwelling.

Part L2 A = Conservation of Fuel and Power in a new non-domestic.

Part L2 B = Conservation of Fuel and Power in an existing non-domestic.

28
Q

What can be done on-site to improve sustainability?

A
  • Waste Management, i.e. the segregation of waste for recycling.
  • Sourcing local services to reduce carbon footprint.
  • Efficiently using onsite machinery.
29
Q

What is a Waste Management Plan?

A
  • It will outline how materials will be managed efficiently, and how waste will be disposed of legally.
  • It should explain how the re-use and recycling of materials will be maximised.
30
Q

What is a SKA Rating?

A

An environmental assessment method benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit-outs, led and owned by RICS.

There are 3 stages when assessment can be undertaken:

1) Design/Planning.
2) Delivery/Construction.
3) Occupancy Stage Assessment.

31
Q

What are the key aspects of the rating system?

A

• Flexible scoping: match the rating to the scope of the
fit-out.
• Easy-to-use online tool.
• A label that is clear and easy to understand: Bronze,
Silver and Gold, plus a percentage score.
• A formal, quality assured scheme for those who
require a certificate.
• Applicable to offices.
• Applicable to retail.

32
Q

What is Passivhaus?

A

An energy performance standard for dwellings, commercial, industrial and public buildings that can be adopted throughout the world.

It is intended primarily for new buildings, although it
can be applied to refurbishment projects.

33
Q

What are the different Green Construction Methods available?

A

Rainwater Harvesting - The process of collecting and storing rainwater that falls on a catchment surface for use, independent from, or supplemental to the mains water supply.

Green Roofs - Is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. A green roof provides a rainwater buffer, purifies the air, reduces heat gain, insulates the building, saves energy and encourages biodiversity.

34
Q

What Low / Zero Carbon Technologies are available?

A

Air Source Heat Pumps - Use of external air as a heat source to provide heat for buildings.

Biomass Boiler - They are similar to conventional gas boilers providing space heating and hot water, but instead of using gas to produce the heat, they combust sustainably sourced wood pellets.

Ground Source Heat Pumps - Pump heat from the ground into a building to provide space heating and domestic hot water.

35
Q

What is the renewable heat incentive?

A

A scheme designed to financially reward those who

use renewable energy to heat their homes.

36
Q

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

A

A management concept where companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.

37
Q

What is an Environmental Management System?

A

It is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental
impacts and increase its operating efficiency

Example is: ISO 14001

38
Q

What is Off Site Manufacture (OSM)?

A

Offsite manufacture is a modern method of construction and comprises the off site design, planning, manufacture and assembly of elements or components prior to installation on site at their intended location.

39
Q

Name some different Modern methods of construction (MMC)?

A

Precast Flat Panel System
• Floor and wall units are produced off-site in a factory
and erected on-site to form robust structures, ideal
for all repetitive cellular projects.

3D Volumetric Construction
• The production of three-dimensional units in
controlled factory conditions prior to transportation to
site.
• Modules can be brought to site in a variety of forms,
ranging from a basic structure to one with all internal
and external finishes and services installed, all ready
for assembly.

40
Q

What are the drivers of change?

A

A combination of acute housing demand and market
failures in terms of cost, quantity and quality, are forcing the industry and government to look at MMC as a solution.

This has culminated in Government including MMC in major housing strategy announcements, recognising that it has the potential to speed up delivery, improve productivity and modernise the sector.

41
Q

What are the barriers of change?

A
  • Supply chains - for many MMC technologies have yet to develop to a point at which we can meet the ambitions for the sector.
  • Skills - MMC strategies are tied into digitisation, IT literacy amongst construction workers will be a concern.

• Cost and data - The data on cost of construction, value and performance using offsite is not robust yet, and as techniques evolve, cost information and performance changes, and previous data becomes obsolete.
This makes it hard for the industry to estimate costs, assess benefits and plan appropriately, which is a challenge for surveyors in particular.

  • Industry familiarity - Lack of familiarity with different offsite construction techniques can lead to risk averse decisions against its use.
  • Consumer perception - There is still consumer resistance, with an abiding image of post-war emergency housing.
42
Q

What is the RICS Value the Planet campaign?

A

promotes the preservation of the planet through the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.

43
Q

What is SUDS?

A

Sustainable Urban Drainage System - systems designed to efficiently manage the drainage of surface water in the urban environment.

RICS APC - Mandatory Competencies (11 decks)

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