SUSTAINABILITY

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

Meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations.

Question 2

What is MEES?

Answer 2

• Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

- EPC (energy performance certificate) rating (A-G)

Question 3

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Answer 3

Social, Environmental, Economic

Question 4

What is ESG?

Answer 4

Environmental, Social, Governence

Question 5

What is life cycle analysis?

Answer 5

• Review of the impact from ‘cradle to grave’

- Includes sourcing materials, creating, in use and disposal

Question 6

What is BREEAM?

Answer 6

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (1990)

• Rate new and refurbished buildings
• Scored on points, criteria inc:
• Energy consumption
• Water use

Question 7

What is the pass criteria?

Answer 7

Pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding

Question 8

What is LEED?

Answer 8

Leading Energy Environmental Design

Question 9

What criteria is LEED?

Answer 9

• Innovation in design
• Water efficiency
• Energy usage

Question 10

What is SKA?

Answer 10

• RICS environmental assessment method
• Used for non-domestic fit outs
• More tailored towards fit out (as opposed BREEAM for whole building)
• Reviews fitout irrelevant of base build

Question 11

What criteria is SKA?

Answer 11

• Has 100 criteria
• Co2, waste, water, wellbeing
• Bronze, silver, gold
• Has gateway (weighted measures)
• SKA assessor reviews
• Assessment reviewed at design and handover

Question 12

What are the differences between each?

Answer 12

• LEED – Mainly used in US
• BREEAM – more overall encompassing, trained assessor
• SKA – aimed at fitout, quicker, cheaper

Question 13

What is ‘Well’?

Answer 13

World’s first building standard focused exclusively on human health and wellness

Question 14

What criteria is Well?

Answer 14

Air, water (access and quality), nourishment (access to the right food), fitness (support active lifestyle), comfort (acoustics)
Silver, gold, platinum

Question 15

What building regulations relate to this?

Answer 15

Part L - Conservation of Fuel and power

Part H - Drainage and disposal

Question 16

What is sustainable construction?

Answer 16

Construction using renewable methods throughout design, construction and use.

Question 17

What are social factors?

Answer 17

Quality of life
Education
Community

Question 18

What are economic factors?

Answer 18

Smart growth
Cost savings
Cost of living

Question 19

What impact does the construction industry have on the environment?

Answer 19

Around 15% of countries emissions are as a result of of non-domestic buildings.

Around half of all non-renewable resources are consumed in construction.

Question 20

What regulations are you aware of relating to this?

Answer 20

50% lower emissions by 2025 (BRE)