Sustainability

Question 1

What is in Advancing Responsible Business in Land, Construction, Real Estate Use and Investment (2018)?

Answer 1

• Sets out how organisations can identify and address the impact of their activities and decision making when commissioning, planning, designing, constructing and operating buildings

Question 2

When is the UK Aiming to reach net zero?

Answer 2

2050

Question 3

What are some RICS guidance on sustainability?

Answer 3

• Guidance Note: “Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation” 2013
• Guidance Note ’Environmental risks and global real estate’

Question 4

What are the 5 key provisions for EPCs?

Answer 4

1) Higher standards of energy conservation for new and refurbished buildings
2) Establishing a calculation methodology for energy performance of buildings
3) Minimum requirements for the energy performance of all buildings
4) Energy certification for all buildings when leased or sold
5) Mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditionings systems in buildings

Question 5

What are the EPC Requirements for marketing?

Answer 5

• Commissioned within 7 days of commencing marketing
• Agents are responsible
• Only actual energy rating is required
• Valid for 10 years

Question 6

What must the front page of an EPC have?

Answer 6

Address and Floor Area
EPC cert and reference no.
Technical information on energy provision
Estimation of energy running costs
Performance rating from A+ to G
Benchmarking Information

Question 7

What are penalties for not having an EPC?

Answer 7

Max. is 12.5% of the RV of the building (Min. £500/ Max. £5000)

Question 8

What does MEES stand for?

Answer 8

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Question 9

What are the current MEES rules?

Answer 9

• All newly let buildings must be an E from 2019

- All let buildings must be an E from 2023

Question 10

What are the future rules for MEES?

Answer 10

Threshold will rise to a C by 2027 and a B by 2030

Question 11

What is exempt from MEES?

Answer 11

• A place of worship
• Tenancy is for more than 99 years
• Tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure
• Not feasible to improve EPC to E or above even when all improvements with payback of 7 years or sooner have been made
• When improvements would reduce the market value by more than 5%
• When third party consent is refused

Question 12

What are the non-compliance penalties for MEES?

Answer 12

Breach less than 3 months – up to £5k or 10% of RV (Max £50k)

More than 3 months – up to £10k or 20% of RV (Max £150k)

Question 13

What is ESOS?

Answer 13

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
- Energy assessment scheme mandatory for large organisations in the UK ( more than 250 employees, turnover of £50m and an annual balance sheet total of £43m

Question 14

Whats the Climate Change Levy?

Answer 14

• Tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users in
  the UK
• Consumers charged by their energy providers
• Renewable energy is exempt

Question 15

What does BREEAM stand for?

Answer 15

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 16

What is BREEAM?

Answer 16

Voluntary assessment tool for new and refurbished buildings

Question 17

What factors are included in BREEAM?

Answer 17

• Water use
• Energy consumption
• Transport links
• Waste Management
• Health & Wellbeing

Question 18

What are the BREEAM ratings?

Answer 18

Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding

Question 19

What are some non environmental sustainability considerations?

Answer 19

• Health and Wellbeing e.g. WELL Building Standard

- Place making – ensuring environments contribute positively to occupiers and the community

Question 20

What are Green lease Clauses?

Answer 20

A ‘green lease’ is a lease that incorporates clauses whereby the owner and the occupier undertake specific responsibilities/obligations with regards to the sustainable operation/occupation of a property, for example: energy efficiency measures, waste reduction/ management and water efficiency.

Question 21

What are the UN Sustainability Goals?

Answer 21

A collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.

Question 22

Name 5 UN Sustainability Goals

Answer 22

GOAL 1: No Poverty

GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

GOAL 15: Life on Land

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

Question 23

Whats the RICS Value the planet campaign?

Answer 23

Our Value the Planet campaign promotes the preservation of the planet through the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

We encourage our professionals to implement the SDGs.

The campaign also offers us a great opportunity to highlight the public interest responsibility of RICS and demonstrate the benefits that the surveying profession provides in offering solutions to society’s most challenging issues.