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