Sustainability Flashcards
Why is lime mortar sustainable?
Lime mortar is a carbon sink. It absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lime mortar is a sustainable choice not only because of its production but also because it can be reused and recycled. When you need to make changes or repairs in the future, lime mortar can be easily removed and reused, minimising waste.
What is a U-Value?
A U-value is a measure of the rate of heat transfer through a building element (such as a wall, roof, or window), expressed in watts per square metre per degree Celsius (W/m²K).
It is used to quantify the insulation and thermal properties of building material, with lower U-values indicating better insulation.
U-values are used to assess the energy efficiency of a building and are a critical factor in building regulations.
What is a suitable development?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is CSR?
Corporate Social Responsibility.
What is ESG?
Environmental and social governance. E relates to climate change, carbon emissions etc. S relates to health and well-being, customer satisfaction, inclusion etc. G relates to policies, composition of boards, recruitment best practice etc.
When is an EPC required?
When a building is sold, built or let. Valid for 10 years.
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate – public buildings over 250 sq. m. Valid for 10 years.
What is MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard requires all leases of rented domestic and non-domestic property to have a minimum EPC rating E.
Main changes to Part L of the building regulations?
Due to government’s net zero target and the future homes and future buildings standards (in 2025). New homes to produce 31% less carbon emissions. By 2025 to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than under existing standards.
What other Building Regulations relate to Sustainability apart from Part L?
Part F – Ventilation, Part O – Overheating and Part S – Car charging
What is BREEAM
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (voluntary accreditation). Assess the environmental impact of a building across its lifecycle. Both new and refurbishment projects. Uses performance benchmarks – carried out at design and post construction. The governments construction strategy requires an excellent rating on all public projects.
What is Passivhaus
Very low energy building.
What is PAS 2035
Energy efficient retrofitting of domestic property.
What is SKA rating
for fit-out projects. The SKA rating is a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment method - NOW TRANSFERED TO SKA RATING LTD, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit outs. It helps landlords and tenants assess fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria known as good practice measures (GPM).
What is ISO 14001
Environmental management strategy.
