Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. In business and policy contexts, sustainability seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term.
What is sustainable development?
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”.
What are the triple bottom line principles?
the triple bottom line (TBL) maintains that companies should commit to focusing as much on social and environmental concerns as they do on profits.
Profit - economic bottom line
People - social bottom line
Planet - environmental bottom line
These three aspects should be factored into a businesses’ or individuals decision making process
What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?
The NPPF establishes that the planning system should be based on a presumption in favour of sustainable development. This means that development proposals that promote sustainable development should be approved unless there are significant adverse impacts that outweigh the benefits.
The NPPF states that there are three dimensions to sustainable development (social, environmental, economic)
Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of?
COP 27 - UN Climate Change Conference - an annual gathering of world leaders and other stakeholders from countries around the world to address global climate change issues and formulate international agreements and actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
What targets did COP 27 agree?
Finance was at the centre of negotiations at COP27. One of the headline outcomes was reaching agreement to compensate nations for loss and damage caused by climate change through the establishment of a fund.
The idea of a fund to compensate for loss and damage was first proposed over three decades ago when Vanuatu and the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) called for an international insurance pool for sea level rise in 1991.
What are the most recent EU / UK targets relating to sustainability?
With the 2030 Climate Target Plan, the Commission proposes to raise the EU’s ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030
Britain - reach net-zero by 2050 - although Rishi Sunak has delayed deadline for selling petrol and diesel cars, and phasing out of gas boilers
What was the Kyoto Protocol and what were its targets?
In short, the Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. (from Feb 2005). The second commitment date ended in 2020 and was replaced by the Paris Agreement
What are the 2020/2030/2050 EU targets?
They are targets relating to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
2020 - 20% (EU achieved 31%)
2030 - 55%
2050 - Climate neutrality (net zero greenhouse emissions)
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Replaced the Kyoto Protocol
Explain your understanding of COP26.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual event that brings governments together to discuss and review how climate change is being managed domestically and internationally.
The two headline outcomes from COP26 were the signing of the Glasgow Climate Pact and agreeing the Paris Rulebook
Glasgow Pact
The pact is the first climate agreement explicitly planning to reduce unabated coal usage
Paris Rulebook:
The Paris Agreement is built on individual country commitments that will be enhanced every five years. The Rulebook will provide guidance on what countries should consider when developing their plans to tackle climate change.
What did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?
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.
What are carbon budgets?
A Carbon Budget is a cap on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the UK over a five-year period.
If exceeded - we’re in dangerous levels and need to implement initiatives to actively remove GH gases
What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?
The Infrastructure Act 2015 in the UK included provisions related to climate change, such as:
A legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels.
Requirements for the government to prepare and publish reports on climate change adaptation strategies.
The establishment of the Oil and Gas Authority, regulating the offshore oil and gas industry.
Restrictions on government support for onshore wind projects, requiring local community approval
What is the renewable heat incentive?
People who join and follow the scheme rules receive quarterly payments over seven years for clean, green, renewable heat their systems are estimated to produce
How can buildings impact upon the environment?
- Construction - carbon emissions
- Operational - emissions through lifetime use
Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?
Solar panels that can be implemented on roof tops to harvest renewable energy
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?
BREAAM - Building Research Environment Assessment Method
EPC - Energy Performance Certificates
Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) to me?
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (2015) - introduced by the government to improve the quality and increase the energy efficiency of the worst performing privately rented houses and buildings.
The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 (Private Rented Property) - require a minimum rating of Level to let a building from April 2018
Implementation in stages:
1) New leases from 1 April 2018 (commercial & residential), including lease renewals/extensions
2) All existing leases from 1 April 2023 for commercial properties (2020 for residential)
How does MEES impact upon your role?
Need to ensure initiatives to achieve minimum efficiency standards are costed during appraisals, otherwise you’ll be appraising a scheme that is effectively unlettable/unattractive to investors which will harm sales
What are the key dates for MEES?
The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 (Private Rented Property) - require a minimum rating of Level to let a building from April 2018
Implementation in stages:
1) New leases from 1 April 2018 (commercial & residential), including lease renewals/extensions
2) All existing leases from 1 April 2023 for commercial properties (2020 for residential)
Are there any exemptions from MEES?
If a building does not have an EPC (i.e. a place of worship)
Industrial units or workshops with low energy demand (no heating or cooling)
Where tenancy is more than 99 years
Where tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure after
Where not feasible to improve the EPC rating
Where improvements would decrease value by more than 5%
Where third-party consent from tenant, landlord or LPA cannot be obtained
What are the penalties for non-compliance? (MEES)
Policed by LPA :
Failure to comply with regulations for residential are:
- breach for less than 3 months: £2,000
-breach for more than 3 months:
£4,000
Failure to comply with regulations for commercial:
- less than 3 months: Greater of £5,000 10% of RV (max of £50,000)
- more than 3 months: Greater of £10,000 or 20% of RV (max £150k)
What is an EPC?
An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a document that provides information about the energy efficiency of a building. It is used to assess and communicate how energy-efficient a property is and to provide recommendations for improving its energy performance. EPCs are typically required when a property is built, sold, or rented out in many countries, including the United Kingdom
What buildings require an EPC?
For a building to fall within the requirement for an EPC it must have a roof and walls and use energy to condition the indoor climate.
All commercial buildings over 50sqm:
When it is newly built, sold or let for a term of more than 6 months
WHen it is newly refurbished and heating/AC is altered
When is an EPC required?
An EPC must be obtained before a building is marketed for sale or rent.
Which buildings are exempt from having an EPC?
Listed buildings
No heating
Religious buildings
Temporary buildings
Due to be demolished
Residential units not occupied for more than 4 months a year
When do you need to display an EPC?
Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing
What is included in an EPC?
An energy efficiency rating (A to G).
Estimated energy costs.
Recommendations for energy improvements.
Environmental impact information.
Property details and date of assessment.
Assessor information.
Certificate reference number.
Graphs and charts for visualization.
Contact information for inquiries.
How would you find an EPC?
EPC Register Online
Ask seller of the landlord/agent
When are the penalties for not having an EPC?
Local authorities trading standards teams enforce the regulations:
Residential - £200 fixed penalty for non-display of EPC on marketing material
Commercial - Max penalty is 12.5% of the RV of the building (Min £500, max £5,000)
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate - required for public buildings over 250sq.m
When is a DEC required?
required for public buildings over 250sq.m
What must accompany a DEC?
The DEC must be accompanied by an Advisory Report containing cost-effective recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the building.
What are the penalties for not having a DEC?
£500 for failing to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public
£1,000 for failing to have possession of a valid advisory report.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.
What is BREEAM?
Buildings Research Establishment Assessment Method
A voluntary assessment tool to rate new and refurbished buildings
What is LEED?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings
What is PassivHaus
refers to buildings created to rigorous energy efficient design standards so that they maintain an almost constant temperature.
What happened to the Code for Sustainable Homes?
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
What is the Climate Change Levy?
A tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users in the UK. Introduced as an incentive to increase energy efficiency within businesses and so to reduce carbon emissions.
Consumers are charged by the energy provider who forward it to the treasury
What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?
Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power, deals with energy efficiency requirements.
Name one example of Government policy on energy efficiency for buildings?
The bottom line of Part L is that all new homes must produce 31% fewer carbon emissions than previous Part L regulations stated.
What is ESOS?
Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme - energy assessment scheme that is mandatory for large organisations in the UK (250+ employees, turnover more than £50m and an annual balance sheet of £43m+)
Required to:
Measure total energy consumption across building and activities
Conduct energy audits
Report compliance to the EA
