Sustainability

Question 1

What are is embodied carbon?

Answer 1

Embodied carbon is the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure.

The emissions from manufacturing, transportation and installation of building materials

Question 2

Can you give me some examples of embodied carbon?

Answer 2

• Using a piling rig to pour piling foundations
• Manufacturing of building materials
• Emissions from vehicles transporting materials to site

Question 3

What is operational carbon?

Answer 3

Emissions associated with energy used to operate the building or in the operation of infrastructure.

The emissions from building energy consumption

Question 4

Can you give me some examples of operational carbon?

Answer 4

Emission from heating up a home.
Emission from lights

Question 5

Can you tell me more about ground source heat pump?

Answer 5

Ground source heat pumps are elements installed underground which is used transfers heat from the ground outside your home to heat your radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps and showers.

Question 6

Can you tell me more air ground source heat pump?

Answer 6

This in turn heats your rooms via radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers and baths.

Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump, which raises the temperature and then transfers that heat to water.

Question 7

How does PV panels work?

Answer 7

Panels are installed on the roof of a building which then absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity from homes via an inverter. The stronger the sunlight the more electricity it will create..

Question 8

What are the environmental, social, economic pillars?

Answer 8

Environmental sustainability - is the ability to preserve and protect the natural environment over time through appropriate practices and policies, meeting present needs without compromising the availability of resources in the future.

Social sustainability - involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities.

Economic sustainability - is the approach whereby economic activities are conducted in such a way as to preserve and promote long-term economic well-being. In practice, it aims to create a balance between economic growth, resource efficiency, social equity and financial stability

Question 9

What are the factors influencing environmental sustainability?

Answer 9

Environmental sustainability is influenced by several factors that can have a significant impact on the ecological balance and the planet’s ability to sustain life.

Some of the main ones include:

• air, water and soil pollution;
• climate change, caused by the excessive amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to human activities;
• The loss of biodiversity;

-The over exploitation of natural resources;

• Economic models that involve unsustainable consumption

Question 10

What are the factors influencing economic sustainability?

Answer 10

Factors influencing economic sustainability include:

• The responsible management of resources.
• The capacity for efficiency and innovation of economic systems and enterprises.
• Financial stability at the macro level.
• States’ level of social innovation, that is, each country’s commitment to promoting policies, programs and initiatives that address crucial social issues such as poverty, gender equality, access to education and health care, environmental sustainability, and other social issues.
• International cooperation and partnerships between public administration and private enterprises.
• The level of equity and social inclusion.
• Corporate responsibility.

Question 11

What is life cycle costing?

Answer 11

The assessment of cost for replacement and maintenance various components over a period of time.

Question 12

What are the stages of LCC?

Answer 12

Stage 2 – Component Level
Stage 4 – Elemental Level

Question 13

Learning centre – What elements did you consider for the LCC for the project?

Answer 13

Building superstructure

Internal components

Internal wall, finishes
Internal services

Question 14

What BREEAM Credit are relevant to LCC?

Answer 14

Man 02 – Life Cycle Costing and Service Life Planning)