Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is sustainability?

A

Focussing on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

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2
Q

What is the RICS’ commitment to sustainability (2)

A

Focussing on enabling change to address the role the built and natural environment play in emitting carbon emissions
E.g. Sustainability and ESG in Commercial Property Valuation and Strategic Advice, 3rd Edition

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3
Q

What are the current EPC rules?

A
  • An EPC is required for all commercial buildings with a total useful area of 50sqm or more
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4
Q

What buildings have an EPC exemption? (5)

A
  • Building less than 50 sqm
  • Listed buildings
  • Religious buildings
  • Temporary buildings
  • Buildings due to be demolished
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5
Q

What are the exemptions for MEES compliance? (4)

A
  • If the building doesn’t need an EPC
  • If the building doesn’t meet the 7-year payback test
  • Where improvements would devalue a property by more than 5%
  • When third-party consent cannot be reasonably met
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6
Q

How long do the MEES exemptions last and how do you get an exemption? (2)

A
  • For 5 years
  • Must be pre-registered on a register with the Local Authority
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7
Q

What are the EPC requirements for marketing? (4)

A
  • Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing
  • Agents are responsible for procuring EPCs
  • Only the energy rating is required to be displayed on advertisements
  • Online marketing material must have a link to the EPC
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8
Q

What must an EPC certificate include? (6)

A
  • Address of the property
  • Floor area
  • EPC certificate reference number
  • Estimation of energy running costs
  • An energy performance rating from A+ to G
  • Benchmarking information
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9
Q

How long is an EPC valid for?

A

10 years unless the building is altered

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10
Q

What are the penalties for non-compliance with EPC regulations?

A

12.5% of the rateable value of a building subject to a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £5,000 fine

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11
Q

What is ESG and how does it differ from sustainability? (2)

A
  • ESG focuses on evaluating the performance of companies based on Environmental, Social and Governance matters
  • Sustainability is a broader principle that covers a wider range of topics including biodiversity, supply chain issues etc.
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12
Q

What is BREEAM?

A

A voluntary environmental assessment to rate new, refurbished, and operational buildings

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13
Q

What are the BREEAM ratings? (5)

A
  • Outstanding
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Pass
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14
Q

What factors are taken into consideration for BREEAM? (5)

A
  • Energy consumption
  • Water use
  • Transport links
  • Waste management
  • Health & wellbeing
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15
Q

What do you do personally to reduce your environmental impact? (3)

A
  • Commute to work either by tube or by cycling
  • Recycle
  • Have monthly meetings with our sustainability team in order to work towards my clients net-zero by 2030 aim
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16
Q

What measures are there for measuring a building’s performance?

A
  • BREEAM
  • EPC
  • WELL
17
Q

What is a DEC and where do you have to display one? (3)

A
  • Display Energy Certificate
  • Required for public buildings over 250 sqm
  • Display actual energy used and carbon dioxide emissions
18
Q

What are your company’s sustainability/ESG targets? (1+3)

A
  • Split into Climate, Culture and Community
  • Climate: reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions to net-zero by 2030 and scope 3 by 2040
  • Culture: aiming to reduce gender and race inequality
  • Community: 2 hours minimum per annum of volunteering per employee
19
Q

What is a green lease?

A
  • A standard form of lease with additional clauses for the management and improvements of a building’s environmental performance
20
Q

What is an example of a green lease clause?

A
  • Obligation on a tenant to only use sustainable materials in their fit out
  • Obligation on the landlord to commit to increasing the EPC to a certain standard