Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q
  • What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
A

Environmental

  • Managing resources, reducing pollution and protecting wildlife

Social sustainability

  • Equity, justice and community wellbeing.

Economic Sustainability

  • Balance profit with environmental and social issues
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2
Q
  • Can you tell me the RICS sustainability report 2023?
A

Report provides a global benchmark on issues of climate, carbon and sustainability practice.

Explores the sentiment of around 4600 real estate and construction professionals

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3
Q

*What are some key findings of RICS Sustainability report 2023?

A

Positive Trends
Half of respondents report a rise in demand for climate adapted real-estate.

Barriers to investment
High costs are perceived as the most significant barrier to invest in green buildings

Carbon emissions
43% of respondents don’t track embodied carbon

Call to action
Not enough being done by the industry to reach net zero by 2050

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4
Q
  • why is sustainability important in the construction industry?
A

Built environment contributes 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

Sustainability in construction is therefore important to:

  • Lessen the environmental impact
  • Provide cost savings
  • Future Proof buildings
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5
Q

What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites

A

Air and noise pollution
Risk of water pollution
Risk of land contamination
Destruction of wild habitats

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6
Q

What are some of the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in construction?

A

Energy performance of Building (Scotland) Regulations 2008

  • Legal requirement for owners planning to sell or let their property
  • A to G
  • Valid for 10 years
  • Must be from an approved organisation

Building Regulations 2023

  • Recent changes relating to energy efficiency and and carbon output

Technical Handbook/Sustainability in construction projects (policy note)

  • Statement of sustainability in handbook. This relates to the policy note in the clients role planning for sustainable construction projects
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7
Q

what are some key pieces of legislation for reducing climate change?

A

Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
&
Climate Change (Emissions reduction target) (Scotland) act 2019

= Net zero by 2045

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8
Q

What is section 63 in relation to?

A

EPC’s produced after 2016 will identify whether a buildings meets the 2002 standard or requires a section 63 assessment.

  • Only applies to buildings over 1000m2
  • assessment will highlight improvements and/or action plan (48 months to complete)
  • If improvements are made then new EPC issued.
  • failure to do so can result in fines up to (£1000) per breach
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9
Q

what different code of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?

A

BREEAM

Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method

Set best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through their specifications, design, construction and operation.

6 ratings from Outstanding to Unclassified.

                             SKA Ratings

RICS environment assessment method for non-domestic fitouts.

Assesses fit outs again good practice criteria

Can be an alternative to BREEM

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10
Q

How does CBRE promote sustainability?

A

We recycle in our office

Cycle to work scheme

We recently moved office to an EPC B

Commits to net zero by 2040

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11
Q

What is the Paris agreement?

A

Keep emissions below 2c

Target below 1.5

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12
Q

Can you name sustainable building methods>

A

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Solar panels

Rain water harvesting

Automated building systems

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13
Q

What is a green roof?

A

A green roof is a roof covering covered with vegetation and is placed over a waterproof membrane.

added drainage, irrigation and root barriers may also be added.

They:
Absorb water
insulation
Promote bio-diversity

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14
Q

what is a soak away?

A

Means of surface water drainage

Large holes or pits that receive water

allows it to gradually infiltrate the soil

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15
Q

What is carbon neutral?

A

Balance between carbon emitted and carbon absorbed from the atmosphere

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16
Q

How does RICS promote sustainability?

A

RICS value the planet
- Campaign and commitment for forming a climate change expert panel

RICS responsible Business Report
- helps buildings from all sizes with helpful suggestions

17
Q

What is ESG?

A

Environmental, Social and Governance

It is a framework used to evaluate a company’s sustainability and ethical impact.

18
Q

What is the Environmental Protection Act 1990

A

Provides a legal frame work for pollution control, waste management and control of emissions.