Sustainability

Question 1

What is Sustainable Development?

Answer 1

Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 2

What is a Whole Life Carbon Assessment

Answer 2

Whole Life-Cycle Carbon is the carbon emissions resulting from the materials, construction and the use of a building over its entire life, including its demolition and disposal.

A Whole Life Cycle Carbon assessment provides a true picture of a building’s carbon impact on the environment.

Question 3

Explain the proposals under the Future Homes and Buildings Standard.

Answer 3

New building regulations which came into force in June 2022.

They require you to meet higher standards under the following ‘Parts’ which reduce carbon emissions by at least 31% compared to the old regs:
Part L - energy and carbon emissions
Part F - ventilation
Part O - Overheating
Part S - electrical vehicle charging points

Can still build under the old regs if you implemented by June 23.

Question 4

What is your understanding of Net Zero Carbon?

Answer 4

The Climate Change Act was amended in 2019 to require the UK to achieve “net zero carbon” by 2050.
An interim target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2030 was subsequently introduced in 2021.

Question 5

Explain your understanding of the B Corp certification.

Answer 5

An assessment of a company’s social and environmental performance

Question 6

What is BOPAS?

Answer 6

Build off-site property assurance scheme
It is an accreditation for those [designers/manufacturers/construction] involved with modern methods of construction – shows they meet industry standards

Question 7

Explain the key objectives of the Environment Act 2021

Answer 7

The Act requires the Sectary of State to set at least one long term target in each of the four key priority areas:

Biodiversity Net Gain
Air Quality
Water
Waste