Sustainability Flashcards
What is RICS commitment to Sustainability?
1.) Creating Homes Fit for Future
2.) Placemaking and Generation to delivery growth
3.) Future skills for sustainable built environment
What is net zero?
BBP PLEDGE
reducing carbon emissions significantly
(gas and waste materials)
adding no more greenhouse gases to the Earths atmosphere than the amount your taking out*
How can we help achieve net zero?
establish scope
reduce construction impacts
reduce operational energy use
increase renewable energy supply
offset remaining carbon eg reforestation
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate
What are the current EPC regulations?
all non-domestic properties over 50sqm must have an EPC rating of E. (apart from exemptions)
What are the exemptions for not having an EPC?
if building is below 50 sqm
religious building
if building is due to be demolished
letting for less than 6 months a year
lease longer than 99 years
buildings with minimal energy use
What does an EPC show?
certificate grade and number
floor area
address
potential score
recommendations for improvement
estimation of running cost
reference no
benchmarking info
Which factors mainly effect EPC ratings?
lighting
windows (insulation)
heating (gas boiler!!)
insulation
What are the penalties for not having an EPC?
Commercial: Max penalties- 12.5% of properties RV (Min £500, Max £5,000)
what are the current and upcoming MEES regulations?
CURRENT: All existing leases must have a minimum EPC rating of E.
UPCOMING:
2027- Min C rating for all existing leases
2030- Min B rating for all existing leases
What are the exemptions to MEES?
if a building does not need an EPC
if the EPC will devalue the property by 5%
tenancy more than 99 years/6 months
tenant refused
payback of 7 years (cost of savings dont repay cost of fixing up property in 7 years)
What are the MEES penalties?
less than 3 months- up to £5,000 or 10% of rateable value with max £50,000 penalty
more than 3 months-£10,000 or 20% of rateable value with max penalty of £150,000.
Is it different in Scotland?
Action plan prepared
fines £1,000 for non compliance
1000m2 or more
What are some key energy regulations?
- ESOS (mandatory for organisations 250+ to measure energy + report to Environment Agency)
- Climate Change Levy (tax on energy, incentive to increase energy efficiency, renewable energy sources exempt)
What is the difference between ESG and Sustainability?
ESG: specfic tool to measure performance
Sustainability: broad principle- range of practices ‘meeting needs of today without compromising needs of the future’
What happened at cop 26?
plan to reduce coal- 40% co2 emissions
commitment to phase down rather than out(china and india)
-agreement to increase money to countries dealing with climate change
What is the Paris Agreement?
International Treaty adopted in 2015 covering climate change.
Adopted by 194 parties to tackle climate change
What happened at the most recent cop meeting?
COP 28 (December 2023)
-agreed transition away from fossil fuels
-not forced
-to prevent breachment of 1.5c
What is RICS doing about sustainability?
WLCA
What are green mortgages?
Bank/Lender offering buyer preferential terms if the property offers something that helps environmental performance eg solar panels
What did you find interesting about the most recent RICS Sustainability report?
Tina Pallet- we are doing better but not enough
built environment 40% of carbon emissions
WCLA - heart of measuring
demand for sustainable buildings is on the rise
-need joined up action between LL and tenant
-Education and training programmes needed
How did you determine the number, location and speed of chargers?
Client gave a brief based on demand
went out to tender requesting a certain amount of number
speed was determined by asset type - office slower, retail faster etc
What current grants are available for EV charging?
-workplace charging scheme
-EV charging points for LL (£350 per charger)
-infrastructure grant for staff and fleet
-plug in grant to help cost of vehicle
Did you just recommend the cheapest chargers or were there other factors?
-relationship with provider
-terms and conditions
-payback, 25 year income, carbon reduction
What is a Green Lease?
A green lease is a lease with clauses in it to help improve the environmental performance of a building.
What is an example of a green clause?
EPC certificate
works to improve efficiency
data sharing
-light, medium, dark clauses
What is an ESG Audit?
-Evaluating a building on its environmental and social aspects
Who determined these factors? (energy etc for esg audit)
based of industry benchmark.
several certifications including Fitwel and BREEAM were considered
How is the scoring determined?
each category had sub categories which were numbered 1, 2 and 3
