Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Meeting the needs of today without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet thier own needs
What are the triple bottom line principles?
Concept that broadens a business’ focus of the financial bottom line to include social, economic and evironmental considerations
What are the triple bottom line principles?
Concept that broadens a business’ focus of the financial bottom line to include social, economic and evironmental considerations
What is contamination?
Making something impure by contact with something unclean or harmful
In terms of contamination, who pays?
Polluter pays principle -> unless you can’t find polluter, then developer can be held liable
Environment Agency v Crest Nicholson 2010
How can you be more sustainable?
Consume less (reduce, reuse recylce)
Travel smarter
Eat more vegetables
Limit plastic consumption
Is there any RICS guidance on sustainability?
Sustainability and ESG in Commercial Property Valuation and Strategic Advice, 3rd Edition, 2021 (guidance note)
RICS GLobal Professional Guidance Note: SUstainability and Commercial Property Valuation (2017)
RICS Environmental Risks and Global Real Estate, 2018
RICS SUstainability Report 2022
What can sustainability issues relate to?
Physical characteristics of buildings
Impact of climate change on location
Legislation, public policy and discal measures
Increasingly sustainability-aware attitudes of both occupiers and investors
What can sustainability issues affect?
Market value
Fair value
Market rent
Investment value
Tell me about key sustainability legislation you are aware of
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Energy Act 2011
Environment Act 1995
Climate Change Act 2008
What are the building regulations?
set of regulations and standards that all new buildings must be built to
What is the Green Deal?
Not very successful scheme introduced by the government to increase the energy performance of buildings by covering up front costs for retro-fitting roof insulation
-> Benefit of this will re-pay through lower energy bills
What is the Energy Act?
The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015
-> MEES (EPC)
What is NPPF?
National Planning Policy Framework
What does NPPF say about sustainable development?
Introduced the presumption in favour of sustainable development
-> Constitutes the government view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system
Local authorities should positively seek oppertunities to meet development needs of area
Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or protocols you are aware of?
- UK Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Kyoto Protocol
- Paris Agreement
- Climate Change Act
What is the Paris Agreement?
Presents a balanced outcome with an action plan to limit global warming to a 2 degree celcius rise in the next century
-> Aims to increase ability of countries to deal with impacts of climate change, and at making finance flows consistent with a low GHG emissions and climate resistant pathway
What was the Kyoto Protocol?
International agreement linked to United Nations Framework Convention on climate change, which commits its parties to setting internationally binding emission reduction targets
What are the 2020 / 2030 / 2050 EU targets?
- Reduce global emissions by at lease 37% of 1990 levels by 2020
- Reduce global emissions by at least 57% of 1990 levels by 2030
- Reduce global emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050
What did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?
Made the UK the first country in the world to have a legally binding long-term frameowrk to cut carbon emissions
-> Government cmittment to reduce UKs carbon emissions to net zero by 2050
What are carbon budgets?
5 yearly carbon budgets set by government - restrict amount of greenhouse gas the UK can legally emit in a 5 year period
What is the renewable heat incentive?
UK Government scheme to encourage uptake of renewable heat technologies amongst householders, communities and businesses through financial incentives
How do buildings impact on the built environment?
Poorly designed buildings use more energy, increasing the demand on energy production and contributing to global warming
Can you ive me an example of a sustainable design feature?
- good, sufficient insulation
- good, sustainable materials used in construction
- good use of natural light
- renewable technologies -> solar panels
- green roofs
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?
BREEAM
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?
BREEAM
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
-> Measure of sustainable credentials of newly constructed buildings, based on energy use, water consumption, transport links, pollution, waste management
Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficient Standards (MEES)?
Minimum Energy Efficient Standards
-> Introduced in 2015 by energy efficient regulations 2015
-> Poses threat to meeting carbon reduction targets for 2020 and 2050
How does MEES impact your role?
Requirement to understand Landlord responsibilities and ensure minimum energy efficient standards of properties to both let and continue letting
Affects alterations -> reasonable to reject if negatively affecting mees
What are the key dates for MEES?
- 1st April 2018 - Landlord cannoy let or renew lease if EPC below E
- 1st April 2023 - Landlord cannot continue letting a building/unit with EPC below E
- 1st April 2027 - Minimum EPC of C
- 1st April 2030 - Minimum EPC of B
What falls outside of MEES?
EPCs required for all buildings over 50 sq mapart from:
- Tenancies under 6 months
- Tenancies over 99 years
- Listed buildings
- Buildings with no heating
- Religious buildings
- Temporary buildings
- Buildings due to be demolished / redeveloped
- Residential units not occupied for more than 4 months a year
When can you apply for MEES exemption?
- High cost - no payback within 7 years
- All cost effective improvements have been carried out
- Third party consent is refused
- Devaluation in property by more than 5%
Examptions last for 5 years and need to be lodged on a centralised register
What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES?
Local Weights and Measures Authorities (LWAMAs) have powers to impost civil penalties using rateable value
- Incorrect / misleading info -> £5,000
- Renting a non-compliant property less than 3 months -> 10% of RV (min £5k, max £50k)
- Renting a non-compliant property more than 3 months -> 20% of RV (min £10k, max, £150k)
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate
-> rating scheme to summarise energy efficiency of buildings in EU
-> A-G
Wha
What buildings require an EPC?
A building with a roof, walls, and that uses energy to condition the indoor climate
-> commercial buildings over 50 sq m
When is an EPC required?
When a building is let, sold, or newly refurbished
-> over 50 sq m
How long does an EPC last?
10 years
What buildings are exempt from having an EPC?
EPCs required for all buildings over 50 sq mapart from:
- Tenancies under 6 months
- Tenancies over 99 years
- Listed buildings
- Buildings with no heating
- Religious buildings
- Temporary buildings
- Buildings due to be demolished / redeveloped
- Residential units not occupied for more than 4 months a year
When do you need to display an EPC?
- total floor area above 500m
- Frequently visited by the public
EPC has already been produced for building sale, rental or construction