Sustainability Flashcards
What is COP26 and what does COP stand for?
- COP is the Conference of the Parties and is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
- The 2021 meeting was the 26th meeting which is why it’s called COP26
What happened at COP26?
- At COP26 a newly established Glasgow Financial Alliance was announced for Net Zero carbon emissions of $130 trillion of private capital to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
- There are new requirements for all listed companies in the UK to produce net-zero transition plans by 2023
Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?
- To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. - Key principles were also set out within the Brundtland Commission Report, Our Common Future 1987 which identified the need for sustainable development based around environmental protection,
economic growth and social equity. It called for conservation of the environment and resources by gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies
What are the key principles of sustainability?
Social - Building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings.
Economical - Build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring sufficient land and right types.
Environmental: - Contributing towards the protection and enhancement of our natural, built and historic environment.
What are the core principles of Planning and Decision making around sustainability?
- Creative processes should be used not just scrutiny.
- Proactive steps should be taken to achieve sustainable development.
- Secure the development of high quality built assets.
- Account for the character of the surrounding area.
- Support a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy.
- Conserve & enhance natural environment and reduce pollution.
- Encourage use of brownfield sites.
- Conserve heritage.
- Maximise use of public transport, cycling and walking.
- Support health, social and cultural well-being.
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on
construction sites?
- Risks of Water Pollution.
- Air and Noise Pollution.
- High Energy Consumption and carbon emissions.
- Risk of land contamination.
- Damage to wild habitats.
- High Wastage production into landfill.
- Release of dangerous gases and chemicals.
What are the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in
construction?
- Agricultural Land Act – Enables land to be acquired for a particular purpose for example to control pests and weeds, for use as woodlands or to support agricultural activities.
- Building Act – This is the primary piece of UK Legislation that enables the Building Regulations to be enforced. This is to assist in the conservation of fuel and power, to prevent waste, misuse or contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe.
- Clean Air Act – This legislation provides local authorities within England to introduce measures in order to control air pollution.
- Climate Change Act – This is a legally binding framework to tackle climate change. It imposed targets to cut greenhouse emissions compared with 1990 levels 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
What are the Key Building Regulations that relate to sustainability in
construction?
- Building Regulations Part L — Conservation of Fuel and Power.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations.
o Requires that EPC’s are produced for dwellings and non-dwellings.
o Quantifies energy efficiency of buildings.
o Required when buildings are built, sold or rented.
o Commercial buildings over 500 sqm. and frequented by the public need to display a display energy certificate (DEC) based on actual energy used
What are the different forms of taxation relating to sustainability?
- Landfill Tax which is an environmental tax payable in addition to landfill rates charged by private disposal companies.
- The tax was introduced as a means to encourage alternative methods of disposal such as recycling.
- The tax is charged by weight at varying rates depending on whether the waste is inert or active.
What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring
sustainability?
- BREEAM (Life Cycle Assessment).
Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation.
BREEAM Stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
The assessment is undertaken by a licensed assessor based on energy, land & ecology, water, health & wellbeing, pollution, materials and waste and management.
BREEAM applies to new and refurbishment projects, domestic and non-domestic.
o Rating are:
Outstanding.
Excellent.
Very Good.
Good.
Pass.
Unclassified
What is SKA ratings assessment
- SKA Ratings
An RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments.
The scheme assesses fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known as Good Practice Measures (GPM).
SKA can act as an alternative to BREEAM which have higher costs in comparison.
What is LEED
LEED (Life Cycle Assessment).
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
It is a USA equivalent of BREEAM.
Ratings are:-
LEED Certified.
Silver.
Gold.
Platinum.
This method reviews embodied aspects of carbon emissions as well as life cycle assessment during
construction and operation.
What procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?
Recycling of cardboard, paper and plastics.
Use of Energy efficient lighting (motion sensors).
Energy efficient equipment (LED lamps, energy efficient monitors).
All company cars are to be EV’s by 2025.
Cycle to work schemes.
Reduce printing by using cloud-based systems.
Charitable contributions (tree planting / environmental programmes).
Sign up to Green initiatives and codes of practice (use office space with high EPC / BREEAM ratings)
What is the Paris Agreement?
a legally binding international treaty concerning climate change.
It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016.
The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius whilst targeting levels below 1.5 degrees Celsius when compared to pre-industrial levels.
Name some sustainable building methods?
- Use of recycled materials such as reclaimed timber, recycled tiles and plastics.
- Ground Source Heat Pumps.
- Air Source Heat Pumps.
- Solar Panels.
- Wind Turbines.
- Solar Shading.
- Rain water harvesting.
- Green Roofs.
- Automated Building Systems (Lighting sensors)
What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’?
- A green roof is a roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane.
- Additional layers such as drainage layers, irrigation systems or root barriers may also be placed over the membrane.
- Rooftop ponds are an alternative form of green roof which are used to treat grey water.
- The vegetation, soil, drainage layer, root barriers and irrigation system are typically the key components of a green roof.
Advantages of a green roof
absorb rainwater
provide extra insulation
increase biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife
aesthetically pleasing
lower urban air temperatures.
What are Photovoltaics and how do they work?
SOLAR PANELS
Photovoltaics allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Sunlight contains energy known as photons.
When photos hit solar modules within the solar panel they cause electrons to flow through the bottom layer.
The movement of electrons generates electricity that flows to an inverter.
The inverter converts DC electricity into AC that is then used to power the building.
What is a soakaway and how do they work?
Soakaways offer a means of surface water drainage attenuation.
They consist of large holes or pits that receive surface water from a drainage pipe.
The soakaway allows the collected surface water to gradually infiltrate through the soil.
Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?
Carbon neutrality is to have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere in carbon sinks
To date no artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere at the levels required to offset global warming.
What is meant by the term solar gain?
Solar gain is the name given to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure due to solar radiation (the heat from the sun).
A building can retain this solar gain by having high thermal mass or can avoid it by using reflective materials and insulation
How can solar gain be managed in buildings?
- Limiting the size and area of openings such as doors and windows.
- Shading or orientating doors and windows from direct sunlight.
- Using reflective materials on the glass and building fabric.
- Insulating walls and roof spaces to prevent indirect solar gains into the building
How does a ground source heat pump work?
Heat from the ground is absorbed at low temperatures into a fluid inside a loop of pipe (a ground loop) buried underground.
- The fluid then passes through a compressor that raises it to a higher temperature, which can then heat water for the heating and hot water circuits of the house.
- The cooled ground-loop fluid passes back into the ground where it absorbs further energy from the ground in a continuous process as long as heating is required
Please explain your understanding of the term SUDS?
- SUDS will slow down surface water run off by allowing it to infiltrate and soak into natural contours and landscapes.
- SUDS are considered to be environmentally friendly as they do not rely on the manufacture of plastic or clay drainage components and instead utilise natural vegetation and material to absorb surface water.
What are the benefits of a BREEAM certified building?
Lower Running costs
Greater Marketability
Increased positive PR
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?
It decreases the demand for water.
It reduces the need for imported water.
Rainwater harvesting promotes both water and energy conservation.
Improved BREEAM compliance can be achieved.
Lower operational costs can be gained.
What is an EPC?
- Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed.
- Once obtained, an EPC is valid for 10 years.
- The most efficient built assets typically have the lowest fuel bills and are in band A.
- EPC’s are rated on a scale of A-G.
- The energy efficiency of the built asset along with the potential efficiency following improvements are identified.
- The EPC will also show the amount of CO2 emissions produced by the property in tonnes and will advise the amount this could be reduced by.
What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are being
implemented by the RICS?
- The RICS SKA ratings encourages green codes of practice for commercial properties.
- RICS has also launched the ‘Value the Planet’ campaign and committed to forming a climate change expert panel to implement the UN’s sustainable development goals.
- RICS has launched a Responsible Business Report filled with solutions for companies to operate in a greener capacity, regardless of the firm’s size. This includes introducing higher recycling rates and
reducing energy, transport and water use where possible
Name a key guidance note in relation to sustainability?
Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice, 2021
What changes were brought around in 2019 to the Climate Change Act 2008?
UK were required to achieve net zero carbon by 2050
What properties are exempt from EPC requirements?
- Some listed buildings
- Religious properties
- Temporary buildings
- Buildings due to be demolished
- Residential units not occupied more than 4 months
- Properties less than 50 sqm
What do MEES stand for?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards 2015
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
What EPC rating must a property achieve in order to be let on a new lease?
E, from 1 April 2018
When will all existing leases have to achieve an E rating in order to comply with MEES?
1 April 2023
When are properties exempt from MEES?
- If a property does not require an EPC
- Industrial units with low energy requirements
- Tenancy less than 6 months or more than 99 years
- Where it is not feasible to improve the EPC rating ie costs aren’t recovered within 7 years
Who polices MEES and EPC breaches?
Local Authority
What are some penalties for non compliance with MEES and EPC for non domestic properties?
Less than 3 months - up to £5,000 or 10% of RV
More than 3 months - up to £10,000 or 20% of RV
What are some penalties for non compliance with MEES and EPC for domestic properties?
Less than 3 months - £2,000
More than 3 months - £4,000
What are some potential changes to MEES for non domestic properties?
UK government currently in consultation for threshold to rise from an E to C by 2028 and B by 2030
Name some other energy saving regulations?
- ESOS
- CCL
What does ESOS implement for large organisations within the UK?
- Measure energy consumption, transport and industrial activities
- Conduct energy audits
- Report to EA
What is CCL and what does it implement for non domestic energy users?
Tax on energy imported to the UK, charged by energy providers whom forward the £1.9 billion to the UK Treasury
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What is BREEAM?
A buildings impact is rated by BREEAM assessors by reference to 9 environmental factors.
What is a WELL building standard?
Rated in respect of spaces that can optimise the health and mental wellbeing of occupiers
What is a green lease clause?
Seek to ensure landlords and tenants share information about energy uses.
There are green lease toolkits available.
How are developers implementing sustainability factors within their projects?
- Use of renewable materials
- Use of solar panels
- Effective energy management
- Installation of EV points
When was Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice effective?
31 January 2022
What are Building Regulations?
Minimum standards for the design, construction and alterations to buildings.
Developed by government and approved by parliament.
They contain a list of requirements (Schedule 1) that are designed to ensure minimum standards for health, safety, welfare, convenience, energy efficiency etc.
A-R
Building Regs set out in Building Act 1984. Regs are made under Act and periodically updated - Government is responsible.
What are the Parts of Building Regs?
A Structural Safety B Fire Safety C Resistance to Contaminants and Moisture D Toxic Substances E Resistance to Sound F Ventilation G Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency H Drainage and Waste Disposal J Heat Producing Appliances K Protection From Falling L Conservation of Fuel and Power M Access to and Use of Buildings N Glazing Safety P Electrical Safety Q Security R Communication Networks 7 Workmanship and Materials
What are the BREEAM categories?
Water Energy Waste Transport Pollution Materials Land Use and Ecology Management Innovation Health and Wellbeing
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate - Raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building.
How is the UK Government improving sustainability?
Reduce carbon emissions by 50% Implement Site Waste Management Plans Water and Energy Conservation Introduction of Code for Sustainable Homes Sustainable Procurement Kyoto Protocol Paris Agreement (2 Degrees mark)
Types of SUDs?
Green roof
Swails
Attenuation tanks
Blue roof
SUDs = Sustainable drainage systems
