Sustainability

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

Meeting todays needs without impacting the needs of future generations

Question 2

What are the triple bottom line principles?

Answer 2

A company shouldn’t care only about profits, care about people planet and prosperity

Question 3

What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?

Answer 3

Has to determine whether a planning proposal has economic, social and environmental,

Question 4

Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of?

Answer 4

Climate Change Act 2008. UN Sustainability Development Goals 17

Question 5

What targets did one of these set?

Answer 5

SDG No poverty. Climate change act- net zero by 2050 based on 1990 levels

Question 6

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 6

Limit temperature rises to 1.5oc. Legally binding treaty.

Question 7

What was the Kyoto Protocol and what were it’s targets?

Answer 7

Reduce co2 emissions below 5% as of 1990 levels

Question 8

What are carbon budgets?

Answer 8

Budget for the amount of carbon UK can produce in 5 year period

Question 9

What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?

Answer 9

Encourages renewable heat incentives and offsite construction

Question 10

What is the renewable heat incentive?

Answer 10

Encouragement to use air source and ground source heat pumps.

Question 11

Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?

Answer 11

Installing air source heat pumps, collecting grey water, double glazing

Question 12

Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?

Answer 12

BREEAM- Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Methodology

Question 13

Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) to me?

Answer 13

Introduced in the Energy Performance Buildings Regulations (Private rented sector 2018). Required EPC certificate for buildings. Rating goes from A to G. from April 2023 now illegal to rent or sell a property with a rating below E.

Question 14

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Answer 14

10,000 fine or 20% rateable value

Question 15

Which buildings are exempt from having an EPC?

Answer 15

listed, religious, agricultural, detached with less than 50sqm

Question 16

What is a DEC?

Answer 16

public buildings

Question 17

When is a DEC required?

Answer 17

over 250sqm

Question 18

What are the penalties for not having a DEC?

Answer 18

£500 if not shown, £1000 if no advisory report

Question 19

What happened to the Code for Sustainable Homes?

Answer 19

Withdrawn now part of building regs

Question 20

What is the Climate Change Levy?

Answer 20

Environmental tax on energy businesses use

Question 21

What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?

Answer 21

Approved Document L

Question 22

What is ESOS?

Answer 22

Requirement for businesses to detail energy usage in their buildings every 4 years

Question 23

What is the SECR regime?

Answer 23

Must report large buisness carbon emissions on a yearly basis. Failure to comply can mean accounts not signed off.

Question 24

What is green deal?

Answer 24

Scheme to improve energy efficiency in homes

Question 25

What is PAS 2035?

Answer 25

Whole house or whole building retrofit targets

Question 26

Explain your understanding of NABERS.

Answer 26

Star rating scheme for offices. Tracks energy usage in buildings.