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APC > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

Tell me about a piece of sustainability legislation that you are aware of?

A

Clean Air Act (control of smoke emissions), Energy Act 2011 (EPC minimum E), Environmental Protection Act (waste management and control of emissions), Paris agreement (limit global warming below 2 degrees), COP27, climate change act 2008.

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2
Q

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect? How does this differ from El Nino?

A

Enhanced greenhouse effect – more gases means radiation trapped in atmosphere warming up earth.
El Nino – warming of sea surface causing ice caps to melt, less reflection and further warming.

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3
Q

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

A

Social
Environmental
Economic

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4
Q

What is BREEAM? What is its purpose?

A

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, sets criteria for sustainable development

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5
Q

Give an example of a government policy to improve sustainability?

A

Climate change levy
Energy act
Landfill tax
Countryside and wildlife act

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6
Q

Give an example of construction related policy to improve sustainability?

A

Landfill tax (tax on waste disposed of at landfill) and climate change levy (tax on energy the businesses use)

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7
Q

What is the difference between passive and innovative measures? Please provide examples of both?

A

Innovative - GSHPs, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, wind turbines, ASHPs.
Passive measures (maximise natural energy) – insulation, south facing windows, solar shading, airtightness.

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8
Q

What are GSHPs? How does it work?

A

A ground source heat pump can be used to extract heat energy from the ground and to transfer the heat into buildings or alternatively allow heat to escape.

Circuit of pipes which water is pumped through, ground heats the water which then goes to a heat exchanger, this changes the heat to usable energy which then gets transferred through the building.

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9
Q

What is the definition of sustainability?

A

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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10
Q

What are sustainable bricks? Give some examples.

A

microbial induced eco bricks, hemp bricks, K-briq (rubble), plastic bottle brick, wool brick.

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11
Q

Can you provide an example of how each pillar of sustainability could be met?

A
  • Installation of a renewable technology
  • Environmental - Ensure it reduces energy use and pollution
  • Economic - Ensure it is cost effective to install and maintain
  • Social - Ensure it provides jobs for those in the renewable industry and that people can you energy effectively
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12
Q

What recent legislation has been introduced to improve sustainability? What exactly has it introduced?

A

Environment Act 2021

It has included measures to tackle waste, improve air and water quality and improve biodiversity.

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13
Q

Why is it important to stop carbon emissions?

A

Carbon emissions lead to pollution which builds up the ozone layer and traps rays within the atmosphere heating up the earth

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14
Q

Why should all three pillars of sustainability be considered equally?

A

If one pillar is not met it would be difficult to encourage widespread adoption, items which meet all three are truly sustainable.

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15
Q

How does BREEAM help achieve sustainability?

A

Encourages sustainability as it sets criteria and as high as possible a score is desired on projects as there may be minimum requirements and the higher the more appealing the building will be as an investment.

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16
Q

What enforces the Building Regulations?

A

Building Act 1984

17
Q

How does RICS promote sustainability?

A
  • RICS Value the Planet Campaign – webinars, guidance, etc to enforce the UN sustainable development goals
  • CPD
  • Sustainability competency APC
  • Introduced SKA rating which is an environmental assessment method for non domestic fit outs.
18
Q

What is a whole life carbon assessment?

A

carbon impact through materials, construction and building over whole life

19
Q

What is BREEAM? What are the different categories?

A

BREEAM – sustainability assessment method focusing on pollution, transport, land use, water, materials, innovation, energy, health and wellbeing, waste.

20
Q

Give examples of ways in which sustainability can be implemented at a global, national and local level. Why should this take place?

A

Global - Paris Agreement and COP27
National - Energy Act, Countryside and Wildlife Act, Climate Change Levy
Local - Encourage recycling by simple waste management procedure, educating people, financial incentives for individuals using renewable technologies.

21
Q

What does BREEAM / SKA / LEED / MEES stand for? Why are these required?

A

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and minimum energy efficiency standards.

They are required because they set criteria in sustainability so that buildings can be compared and minimum targets can be set.

22
Q

As a BS, what role do you play in sustainability?

A
  • Specifying sustainable materials
  • Ensuring deterious materials are not used
  • Ensure works taking place occur in an environmentally friendly way
  • Ensure I play my part sustainability wise
23
Q

What are barriers to sustainability?

A
  • Lack of training
  • Resistance to new technologies
  • Cost
  • Lack of innovation
  • Failure to accept issue
24
Q

Who regulates EPCs?

A

Local authority and building control enforce.

25
Q

How long are EPCs valid for?

A

10 years.

26
Q

What is the climate change levy?

A

Tax on energy used to promote energy efficiency.

27
Q

Name some of the UN sustainable development goals?

A

◼ No Poverty
◼ Zero Hunger
◼ Good Health and Well-being
◼ Quality Education
◼ Gender Equality
◼ Clean Water and Sanitation
◼ Affordable and Clean Energy
◼ Decent Work and Economic Growth
◼ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
◼ Reduced Inequalities
◼ Sustainable Cities and Communities
◼ Responsible Consumption and Production
◼ Climate Action
◼ Life Below Water
◼ Life on Land
◼ Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
◼ Partnerships for the Goals

28
Q

What are u-values?

A

They are a measure of how effective the elements of a building’s fabric are as insulators.

29
Q

What is the size of a standard brick?

A

215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm

30
Q

Name some materials that have been banned from use in construction?

A
  • HAC
  • Asbestos
  • Urea formaldehyde
31
Q

Where and when was COP27 held? What was agreed?

A
  • Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, between 6 to 18 November 2022.
  • Loss and damage funding for those affected by climate change and food security recognised.

APC (24 decks)

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