Sustainability Flashcards
What do you understand by the phrase achieving Net Zero?
A balance where carbon emitted into atmosphere equals carbon removed from atmosphere
The climate change act was amended in 2019 to outline that government commitment to cut UK CO2 emissions by 80% by 2030 and to achieve net zero carbon levels by 2050
What are net zero asset plans ?
Building specific targets for achieving net zero carbon:
Greener ways of working
Strong EPCs ratings
Can you name me some other property funds which are committed to achieving net zero carbon?
UK Green Building Council address necessary actions for net zero carbon.
- Establish Net Zero carbon scope
- Reduce construction impacts
- Reduce operational energy use
- Offset any remaining carbon
ERRO
When are EPCs required?
EPC are required for all commercial building with a total useful floor area of 50 sq m. or more and also:
- When it is newly built, sold or let for a term of more than 6 months (& less than 99 years)
- Newly refurbished i.e, heating, air conditioning or ventilation is altered
When else would you an EPC be required?
Sub-letting or Assignment of a lease.
What does EPC certificate show?
Address of property and floor area
Technical information on the property energy provision
Energy performance rating from A - G
Benchmarking info.
What does an EPC + report show?
Current rating
Guidance on how to improve
What works of improvement can be carried out
What EPC could be if works were carried out
What does MEES stand for and what does it set out?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, 2015:
Unlawful to let properties with EPC of F or G from April 2018 onwards. Any new tenancies must be an E rating.
From 1 April 2023, all non-domestic properties must have an EPC rating of E or above. The new minimum EPC requirement will therefore apply to any existing leases, not just new ones.
1st April 2027 - EPCs will have to be a EPC C or better.
When are LL’s exempt from complying with MEES?
- Properties where improvements are not cost-effective (e.g., the payback period exceeds seven years).
*Where the tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure
- Buildings listed or in conservation areas where compliance would alter the character or appearance.
- Buildings due to be demolished.
- Certain buildings not required to have an EPC (e.g., places of worship).
What is the penalty for not complying with MEES when should be?
- £5,000 - £50,000 (10% of Rateable Value) for properties with less than 3 month rental.
- £10,000 - £150,000 (20% of Rateable Value) for properties with more than 3 month rental.
Penalties depend on the type and duration of the breach but can range up to £5,000 for residential properties and up to £150,000 for commercial properties
Policed by the Local Authority
Where does MEES not apply?
Leases of 6 months or less, or 99 years or more
What does BREEAM stand for and what is it?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
& it is a voluntary environmental assessment tool to rate new, refurbished and operational buildings.
How does BREEAM work?
Undertaken by independent licenced assessors, and evaluates categories (EG energy, water use, pollution etc) and then rates building and provides certification (Pass, Good, excellent, outstanding.
What are advantages of BREEAM?
Increases asset value, reduces operating costs and good for marketing!
BREEAM rated buildings achieve 20% premium on rented/sales prices
What is sustainability?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Examples of sustainable design features?
PV panels, heat pumps, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and recycling, EV Charging Points, IBOS
What are the implications for LLs?
Some properties will be illegal to let unless they are upgraded
Valuations will be affected and marketability will be diminished
Rent reviews could be affected
Implications for dilapidations may come about
How can people / businesses be more sustainable?
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Travel smarter - avoid airplans
Limit plastic consumption - has huge impact on environment
Who do Heat Network Regulations apply to?
Any ‘heat supplier’
This could be a Landlord if there is communal heating IE
There is distribution of thermal energy (heat, steam, hot water, chilled liquids)
Thermal energy is used to provide hot water, heating or cooling
Building is occupied by more than one customer
Landlord apportions the bills
What are the key global agreements regarding climate change?
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
What is the Paris Agreement?
Legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted at COP 21 in Paris 2015
Goal is to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels
Five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate change action carried out by contries
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
Commited insustrialised countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with their agreed individual targets
Aimed to reduce emissions by 5% compared to 1990 levels between 2008 - 2012
What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
How would you go about retendering for sustainability?
Get a minimum of three quotes - might need to retender due to client initiatives to be more sustainable.
What is included within Sustainability asset plans?
Biodiversity initiatives
Renewable energy
Community and social value
What are your firms sustainable goals?
To make sure that all the buildings we acquire are MEES complaint:
Conducting EPCS
Introducing renewable energy sources
Sustainable transportation options
What are green clauses?
Green clauses are commitments within a green lease that are intended to help manage and improve the environmental and social performance of a building.
what are some of your firms sustainability goals?
Reduction in energy consumption
Minimise in waste
Improve biodiversity
Promote sustainable transportation links
