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RICS > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is COP26?

A

The Conference of Parties signed a treaty to tackle climate change - it was the 26th meeting

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2
Q

What happened at COP26?

A
  • private finance was announced to accelerate transition to a net zero carbon economy
  • new requirements for all listed companies in the UK to produce zero transition plans by 2023
  • increased scrutiny on clients and investors to ensure net zero commitments are robust and legitimate
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3
Q

What is your understanding of the term sustainability?

A

To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Conservation of the environment and resources by gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies. Something that will not harm the environment.

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4
Q

What are the key principles of sustainability?

A
  • social - building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings
  • economical - build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring efficient land
    environmental - contributing towards the protection and enhancement of our natural built and historic environment
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5
Q

What are the core principles of planning and decision making around sustainability?

A
  • steps should be taken to achieve sustainable development
  • Account for the character of the surrounding area
  • conserve and enhance natural environment and reduce pollution
  • encourage use of brownfield sites
  • maximise use of public transport, cycling, and walking
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6
Q

What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?

A
  • Water pollution
  • air or noise pollution
  • Energy consumption
  • land contamination
  • waste production into landfill
  • release of dangerous gases or chemicals
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7
Q

What key legislation affects sustainability in construction?

A
  • Building Act (enforces building regs)
  • Clean Air Act (measures to control air pollution)
  • Climate Change Act (targets cut in greenhouse emissions)
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8
Q

What are the key building regulations that relate to sustainability?

A
  • part L - conservation of fuel and power
  • Energy performance of building regulations (EPCs)
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9
Q

What taxation relates to sustainability?

A

Landfill tax to encourage alternative methods of disposal such as recycling

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10
Q

What different codes of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?

A
  • BREEAM - sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation. Assessment is undertaken based on energy, land and quality, water, health and well-being, pollution, materials and waste management. Applies to new and refurbished projects in domestic and on domestic construction
  • SKA ratings - An RICS Environmental assessment for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbs
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11
Q

What procedures do you implement to promote sustainability?

A
  • paperless workplace - any paper received is recycled
  • low-energy lighting
  • turn off computers when not in use
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12
Q

What is the Paris agreement?

A

A legally binding international treaty concerning climate change adopted by nearly every nation that came into effect in 2016. The goal is to limit global warming to below 2°C compared to preindustrial levels

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13
Q

What are sustainable building methods?

A
  • the use of recycled materials such as timber, tiles or plastics
  • heat pumps
  • renewable energy such as solar panels or wind turbines
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • automated building systems (PIRs)
  • green roofs
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14
Q

What is a green roof?

A

A roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation placed over a waterproof membrane. Drainage, or irrigation systems may be placed over the membrane. They absorb water, provide extra insulation, increased biodiversity and a more aesthetically pleasing

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15
Q

What are photovoltaic’s and how do they work?

A

They convert sunlight into electricity. An inverter converts DC electricity into AC that is used to power the building or supplied the grid

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16
Q

What is a soak away?

A

A soakaway is simply a hole dug into the ground, filled with rubble and coarse stone which allows surface water to percolate back into the earth close to where it falls.

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17
Q

What is your understanding of the term carbon neutral?

A

To have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere. An important measure of the impact that businesses and projects have on the environment and global warming.

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18
Q

What is a solar gain?

A

The name given to the increase in temperature in a space or structure due to solar radiation (heat from the Sun). A building can rotate these gains by having high thermal mass or can avoid it by using reflective materials and insulation

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19
Q

How cancel again be managed in buildings?

A

Limiting the size of windows, shading or alternating the orientation of a window from direct sunlight, using reflective materials, insulation

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20
Q

How does a groundsels heat pump work?

A

Heat from the ground is absorbed at low temperatures into a pipes containing fluid buried in the ground. The fluid passes through a compressor that raises it to a higher temperature where it can be used for heating and hot water.

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21
Q

What is SUDS?

A

SUDS slows down surface water run-off allowing it to infiltrate and soak into natural contours and landscapes, they are environmentally friendly as they do not rely on the manufacturer of plastic or clay drainage components and utilise natural vegetation and materials to absorb surface water

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22
Q

What are the benefits of BREEAM?

A

BREEAM helps clients benefit from lowering running costs and the impact on the environment through construction and design. It also increases greater marketability to tenants or potential buyers.

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23
Q

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?

A
  • decreases demand for water
  • promotes water and energy conservation
  • BREEAM compliance
  • reduced operational costs
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24
Q

What is an EPC?

A
  • Introduced in 2007 as a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let, well constructed.
  • valid for 10 years, assesses a building on its energy performance to determine ways of reducing fuel useage
  • advises the amount CO2 could be reduced by following implementation of recommendations
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25
Q

What is the RICS sustainability initiative?

A

SKA ratings - encourages green codes of practice for commercial properties. There is also a value the planet campaign, forming a climate change expert panel to implement the UN’s sustainable development goals.

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26
Q

What do you do to promote sustainability?

A
  • paperless
  • car share when possible
  • using energy-efficient equipment
  • recycling
  • re-useable water bottle
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27
Q

What are the triple bottom line principles

A

The triple bottom line is a business concept that posits firms should commit to measuring their social and environmental impact—in addition to their financial performance—rather than solely focusing on generating profit, or the standard “bottom line.” It can be broken down into “three Ps”: profit, people, and the planet.

28
Q

What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?

A

The planning system has three overarching objectives, which are interdependent and need to be pursued in mutually supportive ways (so that opportunities can be taken to secure net gains across each of the different objectives):
a) an economic objective – to help build a strong, responsive and competitive
economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the
right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved
productivity; and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure;
b) a social objective – to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by
ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet
the needs of present and future generations; and by fostering well-designed,
beautiful and safe places, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect
current and future needs and support communities’ health, social and cultural
well-being; and
c) an environmental objective – to protect and enhance our natural, built and
historic environment; including making effective use of land, improving
biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution,
and mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon
economy.

29
Q

What are the most recent UK targets for sustainability?

A

Net zero target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels to 2050

30
Q

What was the kyoto protocol?

A

The Kyoto Protocol was an international agreement that aimed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere.

31
Q

what did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?

A

The Climate Change Act 2008 is the basis for the UK’s approach to tackling and responding to climate change. It requires that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are reduced and that climate change risks are adapted to. The Act also establishes the framework to deliver on these requirements.

32
Q

What are carbon budgets?

A

A carbon budget places a restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a 5-year period

33
Q

What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?

A

It notably makes provisions to enable building regulations to provide for off-site carbon abatement measures.

34
Q

What is the renewable heat incentive?

A

The Renewable Heat Incentive is a payment system in England, Scotland and Wales, for the generation of heat from renewable energy sources

35
Q

Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?

A

BREEAM

36
Q

What does BREEAM stand for?

A

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

37
Q

Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) to me?

A

The requirement for rental properties to achieve at least E on an EPC. Rises to C from April 2025 for new tenancies or April 2028 for existing tenancies

38
Q

How does MEES impact upon your role?

A

I advise the requirement in my survey reports

39
Q

Are there any exemptions from MEES?

A

Firstly, there is a maximum cost cap: currently £3,500 per property, including VAT (and including outside funding such as grants). If after spending this amount on improvements, the property still doesn’t meet the minimum EPC rating, you can register an exemption.

Other exemptions include where work would damage or devalue the building (with evidence from a qualified surveyor), or where you cannot get necessary third-party permission (for example from a tenant, planning authority or freeholder). Exemptions are valid for five years. There is also a temporary 6-month exemption for new landlords.

40
Q

What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES?

A

The maximum penalties amounts apply per property and per breach of the Regulations. They are:

up to £2,000 and/or publication penalty for renting out a non-compliant property for less than 3 months
up to £4,000 and/or publication penalty for renting out a non-compliant property for 3 months or more
up to £1,000 and/or publication for providing false or misleading information on the PRS Exemptions Register
up to £2,000 and/or publication for failure to comply with a compliance notice
The maximum amount you can be fined per property is £5,000 in total.

41
Q

When is an EPC required?

A

You must have an EPC if:
* you rent out or sell the premises.
* a building under construction is finished.
* there are changes to the number of parts used for separate occupation and these changes involve providing or extending fixed heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems.

42
Q

What is exempt from an EPC?

A

You don’t need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if you can demonstrate that the building is any of these:

  • listed or officially protected and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it
  • a temporary building only going to be used for 2 years or less
  • used as a place of worship or for other religious activities
  • an industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use much energy
  • a detached building with a total floor space under 50 square metres
    due to be demolished by the seller or landlord and they have all the relevant planning and conservation consents
43
Q

What is a DEC?

A

Display Energy Certificates are records of the actual energy usage of public buildings, introduced by a number of European governments in response to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which all EU member states had to implement by January 2009. A DEC shows the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption for the previous 12 months and must therefore be renewed annually. An advisory report is valid for seven years.

44
Q

When does an EPC have to be displayed?

A

You must display an EPC by fixing it to your commercial building if all these apply:

  • the total useful floor area is over 500 square metres
  • the building is frequently visited by the public
  • an EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental or construction
45
Q

When is a DEC required?

A

Public authorities must have a DEC for a building if all the following are true:

  • it’s at least partially occupied by a public authority (eg council, leisure centre, college, NHS trust)
  • it has a total floor area of over 250 square metres
  • it’s frequently visited by the public
46
Q

Where must a DEC be displayed?

A

Public authorities must display their DEC in a prominent place clearly visible to the public, eg near the building’s entrance. They can be fined £500 if they don’t.

47
Q

What must accompany a DEC?

A

A DEC must be accompanied by an advisory report and the owner of the building must have a valid one available.

48
Q

What are the penalties for not having a DEC?

A

The penalty for each breach is £500 for failing to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public and £1,000 for failing to have possession of a valid advisory report.

49
Q

What does a DEC contain?

A

A DEC must contain the following information:

  • the operational rating (energy used) and the asset rating (as built - if available) as determined by a methodology approved by the department
  • the operational rating for the building expressed for the last two years
  • reference values such as a current legal standards or benchmarks
50
Q

What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

A

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. Examples are environmental responsibility, ethical responsibility, financial responsibility. It improves brand recognition. e.g using timber from sustainable forests

51
Q

What was the code for sustainable homes?

A

The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) was introduced in England in April 2007 as a voluntary national standard to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework within which the home building industry can design and construct homes to higher environmental standards.

The Code for Sustainable Homes has now been withdrawn (aside from the management of legacy cases) and has been replaced by new national technical standards which comprise new additional optional Building Regulations regarding water and access as well as a new national space standard (this is in addition to the existing mandatory Building Regulations). These additional options (which are comparable with the requirements for the former Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4) can be required by a planning permission.

52
Q

What is the Climate Change Levy?

A

What is the Climate Change Levy (CCL)? The Climate Change Levy is an environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use.

53
Q

What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?

A

Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power, deals with energy efficiency requirements.

54
Q

Name one example of Government policy on energy efficiency for buildings?

A

EPCs

55
Q

What is ESOS?

A

ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for organisations in the UK that meet the qualification criteria. The Environment Agency is the UK scheme administrator. Mainly large organisations who employ >250 people of £44m turnover

56
Q

When was CRC abolished?

A

The CRC Scheme aims to incentivise energy efficiency and cut emissions in large energy users in the UK’s public and private sectors.

57
Q

What is Climate Change Levy and when did the rates change?

A

The Climate Change Levy is an environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use. It’s designed to encourage businesses to be more energy efficient in how they operate, as well as helping to reduce their overall emissions.

Changes to the Climate Change Levy (CCL) came into effect on the 1st April 2020.

58
Q

What is the SECR scheme?

A

Streamline Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) is a replacement for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and requires organisations to report energy and carbon emissions in their annual report.

SECR will impact any companies, LLPs and groups that exceed at least two of the following three thresholds in the financial year: £36m annual turnover. £18m balance sheet total. 250 employees.

59
Q

What is a green lease?

A

A green lease is a standard form lease with additional clauses included which provide for the management and improvement of the Environmental Performance of a building by both owner and occupier(s). Such a document is legally binding and its provisions remain in place for the duration of the term.

60
Q

What is sustainable design?

A

Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

61
Q

What is off site manufacture? OSM

A

Offsite manufacture and modern methods of construction can be defined as the design, planning, manufacture and pre-assembly of construction elements or components in a factory environment, prior to installation on site at their intended, final location.

62
Q

What are sustainable construction materials?

A

In building, environmentally-friendly materials (also known as green building materials) are those in which, for their production, placing and maintenance, actions of low environmental impact have been performed.

They have to be durable, reusable or recyclable, include recyclable materials in their composition and have to be from resources of the area where the building activity will take place –they have to be local materials.

These materials also have to be natural (soil, adobe, wood, cork, bamboo, straw, sawdust, etc.) and must not be spoilt by cold, heat or humidity.

63
Q

What is the Green Deal?

A

The Green Deal helps you make energy-saving improvements to your home and to find the best way to pay for them.
The improvements that could save you the most energy depend on your home, but typical examples include:
* insulation, such as solid wall, cavity wall or loft insulation
* heating
* draught-proofing
* double glazing
* renewable energy generation, such as solar panels or heat pumps
If you need help paying for home improvements you may be able to get a loan through the Green Deal, but you’ll have to pay this back.

64
Q

How can building conservation relate to sustainability?

A

Preserving a building avoids the need to replace it or large parts of it and therefore the impact on the environment.

65
Q

What is PAS 2035?

A

PAS 2035 is a new British standard that creates a recognisable quality standard for the retrofit and energy efficiency sector for housing.

66
Q

What suggestions do you make for sustainability for house surveys?

A
  • comment on possible heat loss via lack of doors
  • lack of adequate loft insulation
  • older boilers being less efficient
  • draughts

RICS (30 decks)

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