Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Meeting current needs without harming future generations.
Balancing 3 pillars: Environment, Society, and Economy.
for responsible and lasting development.
What is sustainable development?
A holistic approach to progress, seeking a harmonious coexistence of people and nature.
It promotes balancing responsible resource use, social well-being, and economic resilience.
Meet current needs without compromising the future.
What are the triple bottom line principles?
Profit, people and the planet (social, economic and environmental).
What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?
- Sets government’s planning policies for England.
- Emphasizes achieving sustainable development.
- Recognizes three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental.
- Establishes a presumption in favor of sustainable development.
Tell me about RICS guidance on Life Cycle Costs
Explains lifecycle costing and whole life costing for new and refurbished assets.
What RICS guidance relates to sustainability
Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment RICS professional standard - 2023
Purpose: Provides standardized guidance on whole life carbon costing (WLC) for construction, ensuring consistent and comparable results.
Methodology: Details the WLCC process, emphasizing accurate data collection
Applications: Demonstrates WLC’s utility across sectors with real-world case studies, highlighting its benefits in decision-making and cost savings.
How are RICS working towards the SDGs?
Publishing Sustainability reports and WLCABE 2023.
Working with Governments
Training its professional members and Firms.
What is the RICS Value the Planet campaign?
Objective: Promotes planet preservation and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Resources: Offers tools, webinars, and best practice showcases.
Insight: Many UK firms currently lack a sustainable strategy, underscoring the campaign’s importance.
Explain a key theme discussed in the RICS and World Built Environment Forum Sustainability Report 2021.
Built Environment’s Role: Responsible for ~40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Trends: Shift towards green buildings and ESG investing, with Europe leading.
Green Leases: Increasing adoption due to client demand and brand reputation.
Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of?
The UN Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) (aim to stabilise GHGs),
Kyoto protocol (only for developed countries to reduce emissions),
Paris Agreement (replaced the Kyoto protocol in 2015. Includes all countries and aims to reduce emissions to maintain global warming to 1.5C pre-Industrialisation levels).
What targets did one of these set?
limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
What are the most recent EU / UK targets relating to sustainability?
Reach net zero emissions by 2050. Ban the purchase of diesel vehicles by 2035
What is the Paris Agreement?
International treaty on climate change.
Limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
What are carbon budgets?
It Is a restriction on the total amount of GHGs the UK can emit over a 5-year period.
Climate Change Act 2008.
What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?
zero carbon emissions standards for new homes In England and Wales.
No carbon emissions generated from the energy require to heat and light a home.
What was the Kyoto Protocol and what were it’s targets?
International agreement linked to the UNFCCC.
The protocol set targets for Industrialised countries to reduce their GHG emissions by c.5% against 1990 levels.
What are the 2030/2050 EU targets?
2030: 55% net emissions reduction
2050: net zero
Explain your understanding of COP26.
(Conference of the Parties) A summit where the countries that signed the UNFCCC attended to discuss climate change.
COP26 was held In Glasgow:
Adoption of the Glasgow Climate Pact, focusing on resilience building, curbing emissions, and financing for climate action.
COP27 In Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.
Dedicated fund for loss and damage, maintaining global warming limit to 1.5°C, accountability for businesses, financial support for developing countries, and shifting from promises to action.
COP28 (Dubai, 2023)
Will include the first Global Stocktake, assessing progress towards the Paris Agreement goals.
How can buildings impact upon the environment?
Emissions from construction, operation, demolition
air, water, noise, visual pollution.
Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?
Air or ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling building Interiors, Insulations, windows, LED lighting.
Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?
BREEAM (evaluates energy and water used, pollution, transport, etc.), LEED (American, most widely used green building rating system).
Can you explain your understanding of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) to me?
Regulation requiring properties to meet a specific EPC rating.
Applicable to both residential and commercial rented properties, to improve energy efficiency
How does MEES impact upon your role?
Need to assess properties’ energy efficiency before renting.
May require property upgrades to meet standards.
Ensuring compliance to avoid penalties.
What are the key dates for MEES?
April 2018: MEES came into effect for new residential tenancies and renewals.
April 2020: Extended to all residential tenancies.
April 2023: Applies to all commercial tenancies.
Which buildings are exempt from having an EPC?
Listed buildings where compliance would alter character.
Temporary buildings with use time <2 years.
Industrial sites, workshops, and non-residential agricultural buildings with low energy demand.
What falls outside of MEES?
Properties not required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Temporary structures with a planned use time of 2 years or less.
Some listed buildings, if compliance would alter their character.
Are there any exemptions from MEES?
Upgrades are not cost-effective within a 7-year payback period.
Third-party consent is required but cannot be obtained.
Property devaluation due to compliance.
What does an MEES assessment take into account?
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, including insulation, heating, lighting, and ventilation.
Renewable energy sources, if any.
What upgrades do they commonly recommend?
Enhance insulation in walls, roof, and floors.
Upgrade to energy-efficient heating systems and lighting.
Implement renewable energy sources, such as solar panels.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Fines based on property value.
Potential publication of non-compliance.
Restrictions from renting until compliance is achieved.
Explain a key proposal of the Energy White Paper.
Launch of the Energy Performance Certificates Action Plan to improve the EPC system,
- enhance energy efficiency
- build consumer trust
- increase engagement.
What changes are likely to be made to MEES under this?
All rented non-domestic buildings will aim to achieve EPC Band B by 2030, where cost-effective.
Implementation and enforcement of this target will be improved through consultation.
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate.
Rates energy efficiency of buildings.
What buildings require an EPC?
All buildings, except:
* Listed buildings where compliance would alter character.
* Temporary buildings with use time <2 years.
* Industrial sites, workshops, and non-residential agricultural buildings with low energy demand.
