Sustainability

Question 1

What COP26 and what stand for?

Answer 1

Conference of the Parties
-signed the 1994 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
-26th meeting was in 2021, hence COP26

Question 2

What happened at COP26?

Answer 2

Established Glasgow Financial Alliance for net zero carbon emissions:
-$130tr private capital now under more scrutiny
-robust and legitimate, and
-UK net zero by 2023

Question 3

Explain term ‘Sustainability’?

Answer 3

To meet needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet own needs

Key principles:
Brundtland Report 1987 - based on:
-Environmental Protection
-Economic Growth
-Social Equity

Question 4

Key principles of sustainability?

Answer 4

Social (sufficient range of buildings)
Economic (competitive economies)
Environmental (protection and enhancement of natural, built, historic environment)

Question 5

Sustainability - Planning/decision making core principles?

Answer 5

CrPrQuChReEnBrHeTrHe

Question 6

Common environmental issues on sites?

Answer 6

WaAiNoEnLaHaLaGa

Question 7

Construction key legislation?

Answer 7

Agricultural Land Act
Building Act (B Regs)
Clean Air Act
Climate Change Act
[MEES] Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Question 8

Key B Regs that relate to sustainability?

Answer 8

Approved Doc ‘L’ - Conservation of Fuel and Power
[MEES] EPCs (efficiency, ownership/rented, large public a DEC)

Question 9

Taxation related to sustainability?

Answer 9

Landfill Tax (charged by private disposal companies)

Question 10

Codes of practice for measuring sustainability?

Answer 10

BREEAM:
Whole life considerations - specification, design, construction, operation (new and refurb projects)
Categories: EEWWPMW

LEED:
US equivalent to BREEAM
Embodied Carbon and LFC

SKA Ratings:
RICS Non-domestic fitouts

Question 11

How your firm promotes sustainability?

Answer 11

ReMoEnVeCyPrCoCo

Question 12

Paris Agreement?

Answer 12

International Treaty on climate change
2016
Warming less than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels
major emittors cut their pollution
framework for transparent monitoring

Question 13

Sustainable building methods?

Answer 13

ReGrAiSoWiSoRaGrAu

Question 14

Your understanding of Green Roofs?

Answer 14

Covered with vegetation
placed over:
-waterproof membrane
-drainage
-irrigation
-root barrier system
-ponds for greywater

Providing insulation, biodiversity, aesthetic, lower urban temperatures

Question 15

What are photovoltaics and how do they work?

Answer 15

Convert sunlight to electricity where photons hit molecules causing electrons to flow to invertor which converts DC to AC

Question 16

What Soakaway and how work?

Answer 16

Surface water drainage attenuation by large pits recieving surface water from drainage pipe, gradually infiltrating through soil

Question 17

Understanding of term ‘carbon neutral’?

Answer 17

Balance between carbon emitted and carbon absorbed in carbon sinks and measure of impact on global warming

Question 18

What meant by ‘solar gain’?

Answer 18

Increase in temperature due to solar radiation which buildings can retain by high thermal mass or avoid by reflection/insulation

Question 19

How manage solar gain in buildings?

Answer 19

Limit openings
Shading/re-orientation
reflective materials
insulating walls and roof spaces

Question 20

How ground source heat pump work?

Answer 20

Ground heat absorbed at low temperatures
Into fluid inside a loop of pipe underground
Passes through a compressor that raises to higher temperature
Heats water for house not water

Question 21

The term ‘SUDS’?

Answer 21

Slowing down of surface water run off by allowing it to infiltrate into natural contours and landscapes
Avoiding need for drainage components

Question 22

Benefits of BREEAM Certified buildings?

Answer 22

Lowering running costs
Minimisation of environmental impact
Marketability
Desirable to live and work in
Increased sustainability

Question 23

Benefits of rainwater harvesting?

Answer 23

Descreased demand for water
Less imported water
Water and energy conservation
BREEAM compliant
Lower operational costs

Question 24

What is an EPC?

Answer 24

Energy Performance Certificate, 2007.
Legal requirement for buildings to be:
-sold
-let
-constructed

Valid for 10 years
Band A - most efficient
Scale A-G
Potential efficiency also identified
Co2 emissions also identified

Question 25

What are RICS initiatives in relation to sustainability?

Answer 25

SKA Rating
Value the Planet campaign
Forming Climate Change Expert Panel
Responsible Business Report - advising on operating ‘greener’ companies

Question 26

What do you do to implement sustainability?

Answer 26

PrShEnReCyWaPlSy