Sustainability Flashcards
What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?
That the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development
Explain your understanding of COP26
2021 Climate Change Conference
Brought parties together to accelerate action toward the goals of the Paris agreement and the UN framework convention on Climate Change
What are carbon budgets?
Restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a 5-year period
What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?
Makes provisions for a range of infrastructure projects and strategies across the country
How can buildings impact upon the environment?
Poorly designed buildings use more energy, increasing demand on energy production
Construction section is responsible for 40% of energy and process-related carbon emissions.
When is an EPC required?
All buildings over 50 sq m – namely at sale, letting, refurb
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificates – designed to show the energy performance of public buildings
When is a DEC required?
If its at least partially occupied by a public authority
Total floor area over 250 sq m
Frequently visited by the public
What must accompany a DEC?
Recommendation report
How long do DECs last?
10 years if over 250sq m but below 1,000 sq m
1 year if over 1,000 sq m
What are the penalties for not having a DEC?
£500 for failing to display visibly to public
£1,000 for failing to have possession of DEC or advisory report
What is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
Self regulating business model that helps a company be accountable to itself, its stakeholders and the public
What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?
Part L
What is ESOS?
Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme Regulations 2014
Mandatory energy assessment for organisations that meet the criteria
Employed 250 or more people
Annual turnover in excess of 50million euros and balance sheet excess of 43 million euros
When was CRC abolished?
Carbon Reduction Commitment – abolished in 2019
What replaced CRC?
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
Requires obligated companies to report on their emissions within financial reporting on companies house
What is the SECR regime?
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
Requires obligated companies to report on their emissions within financial reporting on companies house
When was SECR introduced?
2019
What companies does SECR apply to?
Large companies
Turnover over £36m
Balance sheet assets of £18m or more
250 employees or more
Who is exempt from SECR?
Large companies that use less than 40,000 kWh of energy
What are the penalties for non-compliance of SECR?
Enforced by the Conduct Committee of the Financial Reporting Council
Up to £40k or sometimes prison (in exceptional cases)
Difference between ESOS and SECR?
ESOS originated from EU legislation – only requires reporting every 4 years
Proven reductions are not obligated in ESOS
What RICS guidance relates to sustainability?
Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice, 3rd edition, 2022 (guidance note)
RICS Environmental risks and global real estate, 1st Edition, 2018 (guidance note)
What is the RICS Value the Planet campaign?
Campaign that promotes the preservation of the plant through the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development goals
What does the term whole life carbon mean?
Carbon emissions resulting from the materials, construction, and the use of a building over its entire life, including demolition and disposal
How does whole life carbon differ from life cycle costs?
Life cycle costing is the total cost of ownership over its life and not specific to carbon emissions
What RICS guidance is there on whole life carbon?
RICS whole life carbon assessment for the built environment, 1st Edition, 2017
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment and when would one be carried out?
Tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment
- Identifies ways to reduce and avoid environmental damage
- Prevents adverse environmental impacts
Explain your understanding of NABERS
National Australian Built Environment Rating – introduced in the UK
- Measure a buildings energy efficiency
- Carbon emissions
- Water consumed and waste produced
- Comparisons to similar buildings
Explain a key proposal of the Energy White Paper
Presents a vision of how we make the transition to clean energy by 2050 and what this will mean for us as consumers of energy
Explain the key objectives of the Environment Act 2021
New framework for environmental protection, setting statutory targets in 4 areas:
Biodiversity
Air quality
Water
Waste reduction
What does Approved Document L relate to?
Building regulations – conservation of fuel and power
What does Approved Document S relate to?
Building regulations – Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles
Why is the Government encouraging the use of electric vehicles?
Target to reach net zero by 2050 – part of that target is no new petrol or diesel cars sold by 2030
What is the UN Race to Zero?
UN-backed global campaign to halve emissions by 2030 by rallying non-state actors
What is the World GBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment?
World Green Building Council – working toward decarbonisation by 2050
What are the Heat Network Regulations
Heat networks are systems in which heating, cooling, or hot water is generated at a central source and supplied to multiple third party customers through pipe networks
Explain the work you have done relating to the Heat Network Regulations
Operators of heat networks must submit notifications for the heat networks they operate and where required, install metering devices
What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
No poverty
Zero hunger
Clean water
Sustainable cities and communities
Climate action
How many are there (SDGs)?
17
What is the target achievement date for SDGs?
2030
What is a post-occupancy evaluation?
Process of obtaining feedback on a buildings performance in use after it has been built and occupied
What do each of ISO 14001 and 50001 relate to?
International standard for requirements on effective environmental and energy management systems
What is net biodiversity gain?
Development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before
What opportunities to decarbonise exist in the buildings life cycle?
Renewable energy technologies
Energy efficiency improvements
Explain a key theme discussed in the RICS and World Built Environment Forum Sustainability Report 2021
Industry is making progress, but not at the required rate
Construction sector does not take measurements of carbon emissions over expected project life cycles
Requirement for a global standard on carbon measurement
How are RICS working towards the SDGs?
By working with UN on identifying the most critical issues facing companies in real estate in relation to the SDGs
What is SUDS
Sustainable drainage systems
