Sustainability

Question 1

Why is sustainability important in construction?

Answer 1

Built environment accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions worldwide.
Can result in hazardous waste.

Question 2

What is sustainable development?

Answer 2

Development which meets the need of the present without compromising future generations.
Social, environmental and economic.

Question 3

Define social, environmental and economic considerations in relation to sustainability?

Answer 3

Environmental - prevent harmful impacts on environment.
Economic - efficient use of resources to meet needs of users.
Social - respond to needs of the wider community.

Question 4

How do you measure sustainability?

Answer 4

BREEAM.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology.
Independent certification of performance of build environment.

Question 5

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 5

Global framework to avoid climate change by limiting global warming to below 2 degrees celsius.
Each country must report on contribution it undertakes.

Question 6

What measures does your company take in relation to sustainability?

Answer 6

Recycling.
Sensored lights.
LED lighting.
Carshare and public transport.

Question 7

Name some technology available to help meet Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of fuel and power)?

Answer 7

Wind turbines
SUDS
Insulation
Ground source heat pumps.
Rainwater harvesting.
Green roofs

Question 8

What is a Green Roof?

Answer 8

Roofs that are partially or completely covered with plants and vegetation.

Question 9

What is a U value?

Answer 9

U-values measure how effective a material is as an insulator.
Lower value is better.

Question 10

How do photovoltaics work?

Answer 10

PVs convert sunlight into electricity.

Question 11

How does a soakaway work?

Answer 11

Solution to standing surface water, is a large hole that receives water from a pipe. Helps water percolate through soil.

Question 12

How do ground source heat pumps work?

Answer 12

Network of pipes buried underground, and a heat pump. Fluids absorb heat stored in the ground and transfers to the heat pump which goes to the building.

Question 13

How does rainwater harvesting work?

Answer 13

Collects rainwater from a buildings roof and filters to store in an underground tank.

Question 14

Name some assessment schemes/criteria for sustainability measurement?

Answer 14

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology.
SKA - Operated by RICS for fitouts.
CEEQUAL - Civil engineering, infrastructure and landscaping.

Question 15

Latest version of BREEAM?

Answer 15

Version 6 2022.

Question 16

What are the BREEAM assessment categories?

Answer 16

Management.
Energy.
Health and wellbeing.
Water.
Materials.
Waste.
Pollution.
Innovation.

Question 17

Advantages of BREEAM?

Answer 17

Demonstrates level of achievement.
Lowers environmental impact.
Reduce operating cost.
Improves value of building.

Question 18

What are BREEAM thresholds for different ratings?

Answer 18

30
45
55
70
85

Question 19

What does “net zero carbon” mean for a new build?

Answer 19

Amount of carbon emissions related to construction is zero or negative.

Question 20

What does “net zero carbon” mean for a operational energy?

Answer 20

Amount of carbon emissions from operations on annual basis is zero or negative.

Question 21

How can solar gain be reduced in buildings?

Answer 21

External shading.
Limiting glazed areas.
Reduce glazing to south.
Reflective film on glazing.

Question 22

Which building regulations apply to sustainability?

Answer 22

Approved Document Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power.

Question 23

What is Passivhaus?

Answer 23

Design criteria for very low energy buildings.
Reduces heat loss to minimum.

Question 24

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

Answer 24

Process of evaluating environmental impact of a project.

Question 25

What is the SBEM tool?

Answer 25

Simplified Building Energy Model.
Generates Energy Performance Certificates for non-domestic buildings.

Question 26

What is DEC?

Answer 26

Display Energy Certificates for public buildings - Use a scale of A to G.

Question 27

What is an EPC?

Answer 27

Energy Performance Certificate - A to G and indicates how much it costs to heat and power a property.

Question 28

What is Minimum Energy Efficient Standards in relation to energy performance?

Answer 28

Unlawful for landlords to grant new leases on commercial premises if below E rated.
Same for domestic ratings.

Question 29

What is SUDS?

Answer 29

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
Efficient management of surface water in urban environments, in addition to regular drainage.

Question 30

Examples of SUDS?

Answer 30

Swales.
Green roofs.
Ponds.
Permeable surfaces.

Question 31

What is the RICS approach to sustainability?

Answer 31

Report published each year.
Increased demand for green buildings. Decarbonisation as top priority.
RICS Value the Planet campaign.

Question 32

What are some RICS documents related to sustainability?

Answer 32

Whole Life Carbon Assessment.

Question 33

Legislation related to sustainability?

Answer 33

Environment Act 2021

Question 34

Are you aware of outcomes of COP 28?

Answer 34

By 2030:
- Transition from fossil fuels.
- Triple renewable power.
- Double energy efficiency.

Question 35

COP 29, when and where?

Answer 35

Azerbaijan, November 2024.

Question 36

Name three UN SDGs?

Answer 36

17
No Poverty.
Zero Hunger.
Climate Action.