Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
What is sustainable development?
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?
People, Profit & Planet.
What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?
Achieving sustainable development means that the planning system has 3 overarching objectives which are interdependent & need to be pursued in mutually supportive ways.
1. An economic objective
2. A social objective
3. An environmental objective
Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of?
Climate Change Act 2008
Kyoto Protocol – committing industrialized countries & economies in transition to limit & reduce greenhouse gases.
What targets did one of these set?
The climate Change Act 2008 – Amended in 2019 to require the UK to achieve “net zero carbon” by 2050.
What are the most recent EU / UK targets relating to sustainability?
Net zero carbon by 2050
An interim target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2030
What is the Paris Agreement?
A legally binding international treaty on climate change. Adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015. It aims to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius.
What was the Kyoto Protocol and what were it’s targets?
It operationalizes the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialized countries & economies in transition to limit & reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. It was adopted in 1997
What are the 2020/2030/2050 EU targets?
Roadmap to low carbon economy. 25% reductions in 2020, 40% in 2030 and 80 – 95% in 2050.
Explain your understanding of COP26.
Conference of Parties (COP). This summit was attended by the countries that signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) a treaty that came into force in 1994. This was the 26th COP summit.
What did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?
It created a basis for the UK’s approach to tackling & responding to climate change. It requires emissions of C02 & other greenhouse gases are reduced & that climate change risks are adapted to. It also establishes the framework to deliver on these requirements.
What are carbon budgets?
Set every 5 years. A restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a 5-year period.
What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?
Zero carbon homes & carbon off-setting The government introduced a zero carbon emissions standard for new homes in England & Wales from 2016, implemented through the building regulations. The intention is there should be no carbon emissions generated from energy required to heat & light a home.
What is the renewable heat incentive?
A government financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat. It closed in March 2022.
How can buildings impact upon the environment?
Construction is responsible for up to 50% of climate change. The built environment generates 40% of annual global CO2 emissions.
Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?
Geothermal heat pumps, water collection butts, energy efficient windows.
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?
BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment.
EPC – Energy performance certificate.
Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) to me?
Landlords can no longer rent or continue to let properties covered by MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have an exemption. From April 2023.
A new EPC must be registered by April 2025 & another by April 2028 to see if they comply to the below:
EPC C – by 2027
EPC B – by 2030
How does MEES impact upon your role?
Need to ensure theses are met & advise clients.
What are the key dates for MEES?
April 2023 – E or above
April 2027 – C or above
April 2030 – B or above
What falls outside of MEES?
Listed or officially protected buildings.
Freehold investors will not be considered landlords for the purpose of MEES Regulations where the term of the headlease is over 99 years.
Are there any exemptions from MEES?
Yes. ‘All relevant improvements made’ - you never need to spend more than £3,500. If you can’t improve the properties EPC to E then you should make all the improvements you can for 3.5K and then register an ‘all improvements made’ exemption. The exemption lasts 5 years.
* ‘High Cost’ Exemptions – if even the cost of installing the cheapest recommended measure would exceed £3,500. You need 3 quotes. This lasts 5 years.
* Wall insulation exempt – If the only relevant improvements are cavity, external or internal wall insulation.
* Third-party consent exemption – need consent from another party and it can’t be obtained.
* Property devaluation exemption – there improvements would devalue it by more that 5%.
* Recently become a landlord – 6-month exemption in certain circumstances.
* Where the LL has been refused consent to improve by the tenant within the last 5 years.
* 7-year payback exemptions
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
If the beach lasts longer than 3 months. Higher of £10k or 20% of the rateable value of the property up to £150,000.
if less higher of £5k or 10% of RV up to £50k
What is an EPC?
A certificate giving a property a rating from A – G & is valid for 10 years.
What buildings require an EPC?
Must have a roof, walls and use energy to condition the indoor climate.
When is an EPC required?
When a building is constructed, sold or rented.
Which buildings are exempt from having an EPC?
- Listed or officially protected
- A temporary building to be used 2 yaers or less
- A place of worship
- An industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use that much energy
- A detached building less than 50 sqm .
- Due to be demolished
- Due to be sold with VP
- Suitable for demolition or redevelopment
- Buyer or tenant has applied for planning permission.
When do you need to display an EPC?
If all of these apply; total useable floor area is over 500 sqm, the building is frequently visited by the public, an EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental or construction.
What is included in an EPC?
Information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs. Recommendations about how to reduce energy use & save money.
How would you find an EPC?
EPC register online.
When are the penalties for not having an EPC?
Fine of up to £5k. When regulations are upgraded the fine for not having a valid EPC of C or above will be £30k.
What is a DEC?
A Display Energy Certificate. It measures the actual energy usage of a building on annual consumption.
When is a DEC required?
Public authorities must have if: it is at least partially occupied by a public authority, it has a total floor area of over 250 sq m, it I frequently visited by the public.
What must accompany a DEC?
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 filing to display at all times in a prominent place visible to the public and £1k for failing to have possession of a valid advisory report.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
A business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders and the public.
What is BREEAM/SKArating/LEED/Passivhaus?
BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment.
SKA rating – A certificate that demonstrates that your company takes sustainability seriously & has achieved a standard with your property.
LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Most widely used green building rating system. More common than BREEAM in nearly every market. Levels of certificate to silver, gold & platinum.
Passivhaus - A building that aims not to use as much energy in the first place by being effectively sealed against the elements. They maintain constant temperature.
What happened to the Code for Sustainable Homes?
It has been withdrawn and replaced by new national technical standards which comprise new optional Building Regs regarding water & access.
What is the Climate Change Levy?
An environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use.
What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?
Part L covers the requirements for energy efficiency compliance of a new build dwelling. Individuals responsible for the building work must ensure the work complies.
Name one example of Government policy on energy efficiency for buildings?
A new target to reduce energy demand from buildings & industry by 15% by 2030.
What is ESOS?
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme – A mandatory energy assessment scheme for organisations in the UK.
When was CRC abolished?
What replaced it?
CRC = Carbon reduction scheme. Abolished in 2019
The Streamline Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) Framework.
