Sustainability

Question 1

Sources of renewable energy

Answer 1

Biomass. geothermal, solar power, hydroelectric, wave power, wind turbine

Question 2

What is Biomass

Answer 2

the use of living or recently living plant and animal material as a fuel that is burnt to generate energy, typically in the form of wood chips. The energy generated from this can be used to power steam generators to create electricity, or the heat can be tapped and used for the heating of buildings.

Question 3

What is geothermal energy

Answer 3

energy that is obtained by tapping reservoirs of heat that are stored naturally below the earth’s surface. Hot water emerges from these reservoirs in the form of steam. This is then used to drive turbines which in turn generate power.

Question 4

What is hydroelectric energy

Answer 4

the use of free falling or flowing water to power turbines within a generator. These generators in turn create energy.

Question 5

What is solar energy

Answer 5

solar photovoltaic devices use the power of the sun to free electrons from semi-conductive materials (generally silicone) stored in a flat panel. These generators in turn create energy.

Question 6

What is wave power

Answer 6

this is another form of hydroelectric power that uses the motion of waves to power turbines

Question 7

What is wind power

Answer 7

the use of air flow over wind turbines to mechanically power electricity generators

Question 8

3 pillars of sustainability and how construction/ my work links to these

Answer 8

Social (people)- we must have a functioning social system which adequately meets the needs of those within it and allows for harmonious living indefinitely. Responsible procurement delivers social value e.g. number of apprentices a company will offer

Economic (profit)- functioning economy that supports a certain level of economic production for an indefinite period of time. Use of local suppliers to improve profit within local economy.

Environmental (planet)- ability of the environment to maintain an adequate level of quality for the foreseeable future and maintain the availability of natural resources, without compromising our needs or the needs of future generations. E.g. recycle, alternative transportation of waste such as barges.

Question 9

How sustainability is measured in finished buildings

Answer 9

BREEAM- a globally recognised standard used to assess the sustainability of buildings and is mainly used in the UK. It sets a benchmark for buildings and looks at the whole lifecycle of a building and it’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance.

LEED- another globally recognised standard used to assess the sustainability of buildings looking at the whole lifecycle. LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people.

BREEAM & LEED both have a number of similarities, mainly being the objective of both is to set a benchmark for buildings and encourage sustainability. They both assess buildings using a very similar criteria, however the main differences is how they are certified. BREEAM uses licenced assessors whilst LEED uses a design panel.

Question 10

Legislation relevant to sustainability

Answer 10

The Environmental Act 2021- Its objective is to transition us to a more circular economy, incentivising people to recycle more, encouraging businesses to create sustainable packaging, making household recycling easier and stopping the export of polluting plastic waste to developing countries. These changes will be driven by new legally binding environmental targets.

The Climate Change Act- published back in 2008 with updates since to change the 80% to net zero by 2050. This has set targets for those within the construction industry with the Construction 2025 strategy, published in 2013, set a target of a 50% reduction in GHG emissions in the built environment, by 2025.

Building Regulation Part L- Controls the insulation values of buildings elements, sets requirements of energy meters and carbon index ratings.

Question 11

RICS sustainability report 2022

Answer 11

The report finds that occupier demand for sustainable buildings is still moderate in many countries.
There is still slow progress in reducing carbon footprint across the built environment with contributing factors stated as;
- slow adoption of digital tools to measure sustainability
- lack of standardised approaches for reporting embodied carbon
- lack of tools, databases, benchmarks and guidance
- gaps in knowledge and skills shortages

Question 12

BREEAM

Answer 12

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 13

BREEAM Rating

Answer 13

Acceptable
Pass
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Outstanding

Question 14

LEED

Answer 14

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Question 15

LEED Rating

Answer 15

Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 16

What is sustainability?

Answer 16

The ability to maintain and have the adequate resources to support our needs now and in the future.

It requires social, economic and environmental sustainability

Question 17

Renewable energy solutions in construction

Answer 17

• Use of air source heat pumps
• Use of solar panels in buildings

Question 18

TfL sustainable solutions

Answer 18

• OSR green roof
• OSR paving slabs coated in Titanium Dioxide which reacts in sunlight to absorb nitrate oxides and convert them into harmless oxides
• Use of barges to transport waste
• focus on Biodiversity Net Gain (part of design/ planning stage), any project must look at the impact on biodiversity and look to avoid, minimise or restore. If there is still a negative impact on biodiversity this must be offset to ensure the net effect is either nil or a gain in biodiversity.

Question 19

What is the difference between embodied and operational carbon?

Answer 19

• Embodied is the carbon footprint of the construction of a building (demolition, material manufacture, install/ construction)
• Operational carbon is the carbon footprint of a building whilst in use (lighting, heating, ventilation)

Question 20

RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) Standard for the Built Environment

Answer 20

• RICS WLCA standard is set to become the world-leading standard for consistent and accurate carbon measurement in the built environment
• Will enable assessors to estimate the amount of carbon emitted throughout the life cycle of a constructed asset, from the early stages of development though to the end of life
• gives visibility to embodied carbon, operational carbon, and user carbon

Question 21

Principles of RICS WLCA

Answer 21

• Comprehensive modular structure
• Data-driven
• Consistent WLC measurement
• Practical implementation
• Aligned cost planning and WLCA
• Integrated with software tools (BIM) during the project design

Question 22

Categories of carbon in the RICS WLCA

Answer 22

• Production; raw materials, manufacture
• Construction; transportation, assemble/ install
• Operation; in-use, maintenance, repair
• End of life; deconstruction, disposal
• Beyond asset life; potential for reuse/ recycle,

Question 23

RICS Sustainable Standards

Answer 23

Whole Life Carbon Assessment in Built Environment

International Cost Management Standard

Question 24

When should a WLCA be undertaken

Answer 24

Key project phases:

• Concept design phase: Pre-construction forecasts should be used as the project baseline
  for ongoing carbon reporting and progress tracking
• Technical design phase: Should be used to evaluate the evolving design, and at-tender assessments should be used to evaluate tenders.
• Construction phase: As specific products are chosen or the design is adjusted, preconstruction forecasts should be reviewed and updated to monitor construction
  variations.
• Post-completion phase: to check the carbon reductions predicted in the pre-construction and at-tender forecasts have been achieved.

Question 25

Role of the QS in WLCA

Answer 25

• Advise on solutions based on cost and carbon efficiencies throughout the whole life of a project (e.g. initial solution may be more costly but the overall cost and carbon reduction will be greater once in use)
• Assist with undertaking WLCA (cost impacts) as cost and carbon management work best hand in hand
• By incorporating carbon factors into the quantities of materials and works, they can estimate the carbon emissions associated with each project phase, from design to construction to completion. This holistic approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the project’s carbon impact over its entire lifecycle

Question 26

What is SDG?

Answer 26

• Sustainability Development Goals (published by the United Nations in 2015)
• Universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• 17 goals which cover all 3 pillars of sustainability
  e.g. No poverty, zero hunger, decent work and economic growth, climate action,

Question 27

How is sustainability measured on infrastructure projects?

Answer 27

Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Awards Scheme (CEEQUAL) now known as BREEAM Infrastructure .

A self-assessment process where CEEQUAL trained-Assessors assess projects on a range of environmental and social issues. Evidence must be provided for each of the areas in the manual to form the scoring.

Upon completion of each
Assessment, it is externally verified by a CEEQUAL-appointed Verifier.

Depending on the score they will be awarded
Pass – Good – Very
Good – Excellent

Question 28

What can be done onsite to improve sustainability?

Answer 28

• Waste Management, i.e. the segregation of waste for recycling.
• Just in time Deliveries.
• Waste Management Plans.