Sustainability Flashcards
What is Sustainability?
It is the concept of meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising those needs of a future generation.
What is sustainable development?
Our Common Future Report 1987 defined it as,
meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of our future generations.
NPPF 2021 provides guidance on how to achieve sustainable development including the three objectives:
Economic
Social
Environmental
What are the triple bottom line principles of Sustainable development?
Economic
Social
And Environmental objectives
Tell me about your awareness of the Energy Act 2011
In relation to commercial or residential proprrety, the EA 2011 introduced the MEES and further minimum EPC’s.
Some main principles of the EA 2011, include:
1. Energy Efficieny
2. EMR - Energy Market Reform. Incentivizing electricity generated low carbon
3. FiT - Feed in Tariffs - incentivising small sustainably generated electricity schemes
4. Carbon Capture Storage.
What were the three objectives of the Energy Act 2011?
- Enable investment into low carbon energy supplies.
- Enhance energy security
- Tackle barriers through investment into energy efficiency.
What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?
It states the needs of todays generation should not compromise the needs of future generations.
It states there are three overarching objectives that need to be supported together, they include:
Environmental
Social
Economic objectives
Can you tell me about any climate change conventions or protocols you are aware of?
The Kyoto Protocol
- Came into force in 2005.
- Introduced binding emission targets for developed countries between 2008 - 2012.
- Target - 5% below 1990 levels.
What target did the Kyoto Protocol set?
Reduce emissions by 5% below 1990 levels.
What are the most recent UK targets relating to sustainability?
Under the Climate Change Act 2008. The UK has pledged to reduce carbon emissions to 0% by 2050.
10 point plan costing £12 billion.
Based around:
1. Energy efficiency
2. Power generation schemes
3. Transport Infrastructure
4. Enhancing natural environments
5. Green Investments
What is the Paris Agreement?
International treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCC) to strengthen global response to climate change.
Aims to limit global warming below 2 degrees C, above pre industrial levels, even further to 1.5.
Promotes transparency and accountability.
What are the 2020/2030/2050 EU Targets?
2020 targets include:
GGE - 20% lower than 1990 levels
RE - 20% share
EE - 20% +
2030 Targets
GGE - 40% lower than 1990 levels
RE - 32% share
EE - 32.5 share
2050
NET ZERO
Explain your understanding of COP26.
Conference of The Parties to the UNFCCC. 26th annual conference where leaders, stakeholders and governments come together to discuss climate change.
What did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?
Established a legal framework to address climate change and set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Principles include:
1. Emission target reductions
2. Carbon Budgets - how muc the UK can emit
3. Created the CCC - Committee on Climate Change
What are carbon budgets?
Carbon Budgets are caps on the amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a five year period. They are set by the CCC - Comittee on Climate Change
What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?
Must consider the budget for the governents carbon plan
Requirement for secretary of state to publish carbon reports
Modificaiton of climate change 2008
What is the renewable heat incentive?
Government scheme in the UK that provides money to promote renewable heat technologies in residential and non domestic buildings:
- Solar Panels
- Biomass Boilers
- Heat Pumps
How can buildings impact upon the environment?
Energy Consumption
Resource Use and Waste Generation during devleopments
Water Consumption
Loss of natural habitats
Indoor Enviro Quality
Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?
Green Walls
Energy Efficient Lighting
Renewable Energy Sources (solar panels, wind turbines)
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for
buildings?
BREEAM
Building Research Establishment Environmental Method
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environment Method
Voluntary assessment tool to rate new and refurbished buildings.
Assessors measure against environmental measures including energy consumption, water use, health and wellbeing, transport links etc.
Pass/Good/Very Good/Excellent/Outstanding
Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency
Standard (MEES) to me?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are UK guidelines for residential and commercial landlords. They set a minimum energy efficient requirement and aim to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing greenhouse gases.
Current minimum EPC rating is E. Landlords cannot grant a new lease if a property is F or G.
How does MEES impact upon your role?
I have to ensure any property I am buying/selling/leasing has a minimum energy efficiency rating of E. If it does not comply then there must be exemptions.
What are the key dates for MEES?
April 2018 - LL cannot grant new or renew existing leases with EPC rating F or g.
April 2020 - Residential LL’s must bring up to an E.
April 2023 - All existing leases must be an E.
What are the key dates for MEES?
April 2018 - LL cannot grant new or renew existing leases with EPC rating F or g.
April 2020 - Residential LL’s must bring up to an E.
April 2023 - All existing leases must be an E.
What are the exemptions from MEES?
- Properties which do not require an EPC (place of worship)
- A lease outside the act and under 6 months
- 99 years or more tenancy
- when a property has low energy demand (industrial warehousing)
- When the improvements will devalue the property by more than 5%.
- not feasible, if the improvements take more than 7 years to payback. 3 quotes must be undertaken.
Are there any penalties for non compliance?
Yes
Policed by the local authority
Commercial
Less than 3 months - £5k or 10% of RV
More than 3 months - £10k & 20% of RV. Whichver greater
Resi 0
less than 3 months - £2k
More than 3 months £4k.
What are the potenial future changes to MEES?
2027 minimum standard will be a C
2030 minimum standard will be a B.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate
It provides a calculation and classificiation of a buildings energy efficiency.
What buildings require an EPC?
All domestic and non domestic buildings which are sold or leased. Those that do not require include:
- Places of worship
- Resi houses with only occupied less than 4 times a year
- Building with no heating
- Listed buildings
- Buildings due to be demolished
When is an EPC required?
Commercial building bigger than 50sqm that is newly built, sold or lease for a period of more than 6 months but less than 99 years.
Newly refurbished and the heating/ac/cooling has been altered.
Which buildings are exempt from an EPC?
Listed Buildings
Places of Worship
Buildings with no heating
Buildings whereby nobody goes in more than 4 times a year
Buildings due to be demolished
When do you need to display an EPC?
If you are marketing a building the EPC must be on the front of the marketing particulars or have a link to the document/website
What is included in an EPC?
Address and size
Rating of a - g
Benchmarks identified
Certificate Reference Number
Technical information
Estimated Running Costs
How would you find an EPC?
On the EPC register online
What are the penalties for not having an EPC?
Commercial is MAXIMUM 12.5% of RV
Resi is £200 fixed fine.
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate
When is a DEC required?
Public buildings over 250sqm
What must accompany a DEC?
Actual energy consumption and carbon emissions of the building.
What is corporate social responsibility?
It is the voluntary incorporation of environmental and social concerns into a companies operations.
What was the Code for Sustainable Homes?
It was a sustainability rating system used for the development of new homes, however it was abolished in 2015.
What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?
Building Regulations Part L
Name one example of Government policy on energy efficiency for buildings?
0 rating on VAT for next 5 years on installation of energy saving materials
What is ESOS?
Energy
Savings
Opportunity
Scheme
Designed for large organisations in the UK to identify energy saving opportunites.
