Sustainability Flashcards
What is the role of the built environment in mitigating energy issues?
Built environment is second largest source of global emissions after transport - this needs to be managed at each stage of the built environment
What does the 2011 Energy Act say?
The Act introduced MEES provisions, stating that landlord’s would be unable to let resi and commercial property which didn’t meet minimum standards. Also means that residential landlords can’t refuse a reasonable request for consent to carry out energy efficiency improvements when a finance package is available.
What does the 2023 Energy Bill say?
Bill is in its final stages, initially introduced as energy security bill in light of energy prices, aims to
- Accelerate growth of low carbon tech and investment in private sector growth here, esp in transport
- Explore and expand hydrogen, heat pumps, nuclear
- Consumer protection against unfair pricing
What are the implications of the 2011 Energy Act and the 2023 Energy Bill for MEES?
Energy Act 2011 - first introduced MEES - stating landlords would be unable to let properties which didn’t meet a minimum standard, and meant landlord’s couldn’t refuse reasonable requests for consent to carry out energy improvements when finance package’s were available.
Energy Bill 2023 - In it’s final stages, gives government new powers to require energy usage of a premises to be assessed, prohibit marketing and leasing prior to assessment
What is BREEAM and what are the benefits?
BREEAM = the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
A voluntary environmental assessment tool to rate new and refurbished buildings
Based on 9 environmental weightings including energy consumption, water use, transport links, waste management
5 ratings - Pass, Good, Very good, Excellent, Outstanding
What is another example of energy certification?
LEED
- BREEAM british origin v LEED american
LEED based on submission v BREEAM assessors
BREEAM is weighted for each category, in LEED need a certain number of points across all categories
What was the joint sustainability guidance from the RICS and the UN and what does it set out?
Advancing Responsible Business in Land, Construction, Real Estate Use and Investment 2018
- sets out how organisations can identify identify and address the impact of their decision making when designing, constructing and operating buildings
How does the RICS help sustainability practice?
- Evidence based research, best practice requirements (e.g. inclusion in red book), certification e.g. SKA rating system
What Net Zero requirements were put in place by the 2019 amendments to the 2008 climate act?
Put in place net zero carbon by 2050 target
What is the ‘green industrial revolution’?
Announced by government in 2020, put significant investment into green jobs, especially green generation sector, transport infrastructure, energy efficiency
What is the BBP?
Better Buildings Partnerships Pledge - number of uk property funds and REITs signed - includes targets e.g. Establish Net Zero Carbon, reduce construction and operational energy use
What is the framework for net zero established by the UK Green Buildings Council?
- Establish Net Zero Carob Scope
- Reduce Construction Impacts
- Reduce Operational Energy Use
- Increase Renewable Energy Supply
- Offset any remaining carbon
What is the significance of the 2019 amendment to the 2008 Climate Change Act?
Introduced net zero by 2050 target
When is an EPC needed?
For all commercial buildings over 50 sq m when
- Newly built, sold or let (more than 6m/ less than 99 years)
- Newly constructed or refurbished
OTHER THAN EXCEPTIONS
+ residential when built, sold or let
What are the exemptions to needing an EPC?
Listed buildings, buildings without heating, religious buildings, temporary buildings, buildings due to be demolished/redeveloped, residential buildings not occupied for more than 4 months/ yr
When is an EPC needed for marketing?
Must be commissioned within 7 days of commencing marketing
Agents responsible for procuring
Only actual rating needs to be shown, where there’s space the graph should also be shown
- Online marketing should include a link to the EPC
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
What should an EPC include?
- Address of property & floor area
- Reference number
- Technical info on energy provision
- Estimation of running costs
- Rating
- Benchmarking information
Who enforces EPCs?
Local Authorities Trading Standards Team
What the penalties for not having an EPC for commercial buildings?
12.5% of RV of the building - £500 - £5,000 max fine
What the penalties for not having an EPC for residential buildings?
£200 civil fixed penalty fine for not displaying EPC on marketing
What are current MEES and when did they come in?
Currently E for all let properties since April 2023, previously for all new lettings
Was going to be B by 2030, but this may now not apply to resi lettings
What are exemptions to MEES?
- Buildings which don’t require EPCs
- Industrial buildings which have low energy demand e.g. no heating or cooling systems
- leases under 6m or over 99 years
- When its not feasible to improve the property to an E with a payback of 7 years or sooner
- Improvements would devalue by over 5%
- 3rd party consent is refused e.g. tenant, LPA
- ^Last 3 last 5 years and aren’t automatically transferred
What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES?
Under 3m = greater of £5k and 10% RV (up to £50k)
Over 3m = greater of £10k and 20% RV (up to £150k)
