Sustainability Flashcards
- What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
Environmental
- Managing resources, reducing pollution and protecting wildlife
Social sustainability
- Equity, justice and community wellbeing.
Economic Sustainability
- Balance profit with environmental and social issues
- Can you tell me the RICS sustainability report 2023?
Report provides a global benchmark on issues of climate, carbon and sustainability practice.
Explores the sentiment of around 4600 real estate and construction professionals
*What are some key findings of RICS Sustainability report 2023?
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
- why is sustainability important in the construction industry?
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
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites
Air and noise pollution
Risk of water pollution
Risk of land contamination
Destruction of wild habitats
What are some of the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in construction?
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
what are some key pieces of legislation for reducing climate change?
Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
&
Climate Change (Emissions reduction target) (Scotland) act 2019
= Net zero by 2045
What is section 63 in relation to?
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
what different code of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?
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
How does CBRE promote sustainability?
We recycle in our office
Cycle to work scheme
We recently moved office to an EPC B
Commits to net zero by 2040
What is the Paris agreement?
Keep emissions below 2c
Target below 1.5
Can you name sustainable building methods>
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Solar panels
Rain water harvesting
Automated building systems
What is a green roof?
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
what is a soak away?
Means of surface water drainage
Large holes or pits that receive water
allows it to gradually infiltrate the soil
What is carbon neutral?
Balance between carbon emitted and carbon absorbed from the atmosphere