Sustainability Flashcards
What is COP 26?
Conference of the Parties
26th meeting
Happened in 2021 in Glasgow
What is Glasgow Financial Alliance?
Formed at COP26
Aim to provide private capital to achieve net zero
Capital input totals $130trillion
Define sustainability
Bruntland report 1992
Meeting the needs of today without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Principles of sustainability
Social = healthy communities
Economical = strong responsive economy
Environmental = protect and enhance natural, built and historic environment
What are three principles of planning and decision making?
Creative process
Proactive
High quality
Account for surroundings
Low carob energy
Conserve natural environment and reduce pollution
Encourage brownfield
Conserve heritage
Use transport i.e cycling, walking
Support health, social and cultural wellbeing
What are common environmental issues?
Water pollution
Air and noise pollution
Carbon emissions
Contamination
Damage habitats
Wastage
Release of gases and chemicals
What legislation affects sustainability?
Agricultural Land Act - control pests and weeds
Building Act 1984 - conserve fuel and power
Clean Air Act - control air pollution
Climate Change Act 2008 - cut greenhouse gases
Energy Act 2011
Environmental Protection Act - disposal of household waste
Wildlife and Countryside Act
Flood and Water Management Act
What are key building regs?
Part L - conservation of fuel and power
EPC - energy efficiency
- built, sold, let
DEC - Display Energy Certificate
- 250sqm
Waste management plans
BREAAM and other assessment methods
How does taxation affect sustainability?
Landfill Tax - in addition to landfill rates and is based on weight
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Set standards through: specification, design, construction and operation
Assesses: energy, land, water, health and wellbeing, pollution, materials, waste and management
Ratings (6): unclassified, pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding
What is a SKA Rating?
It’s for non domestic fit outs i.e office
Measures fit out vs good practice measures
Lower cost than BREEAM
What is LEED?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
US equivalent to BREAAM
Ratings (4): certified, silver, gold, platinum
Reviews the life cycle of carbon emissions
How does the Coop ensure sustainability?
Recycle, efficient lighting, EV cars, cycle scheme, cloud storage, charity, green initiates
Explain the Paris Agreement?
Signed in 2016 as an international treaty
Aim to restrict global warming to less than 2 degrees with a target of 1.5
Requires transparent reporting by all countries
Commits all major countries
Name sustainable building methods?
Recycling - tiles, plastics
Heat pumps
Solar
Solar shading
Wind
Rain
Green roofs
Automated systems
Explain what a green roof is?
Vegetation on roof on a membrane
Adds layers incl drainage, irrigation root barriers and soil
Absorbs rain, insulates and increases biodiversity
What are photovoltaics ?
Turns sunlight into electric
Sunlight contain energy known as photons
Photons hit solar modules within solar panel that cause electrons to flow through bottom layer
Electron movement creates electricity flows into inverter
What is a soak away?
Surface water drainage
Hole or pit
Water runs into the soil
What is carbon neutral?
Carbon emitted vs carbon absorbed
Impacts environment and global warming
Carbon not removable from atmosphere to offset global warming
Explain solar gain?
Increased temperature in space, object or structure
Retain by thermal mass
Avoid by reflecting i.e insulation
How to manage solar gain?
Limited window/door openings
Shade from sun
Reflect
Insulate walls and roof
Explain ground source heating?
Heat from the ground absorbed at a low temperature
Turns into fluid via pipe
Fluid to compressor which raises the temperature
Cooled fluid back into the ground
What are SUDs?
Sustainable drainage system
Surface water to landscape
Environmentally friendly
Natural vegetation to absorb surface water
Slow down surface water run off
Benefits of BREAAM?
Lower running costs
Lower environmental impact
Marketability
Desirable
Value increased
Better PR
What is rainwater harvesting?
Reduces water demand
Reduces imported water
Water and energy conservation
Reduces cost
Helps with BREAAM rating
Explain understanding of EPCs
Introduced in 2007
Legal requirement when sold or let
Last ten years
A-G ratings
Provides efficiency improvements
Shows co2 emissions
What are the RICS initiatives re sustainability
SKA - encourage green codes of practice
Value the planet - implement UN sustainable development goals
Responsible business - high recycling, reduce energy, transport and water used
How to promote sustainability?
No printing
Car share
Cycle
Recycle
Efficient equipment
No plastic
Limit waste
Cloud storage
Name exemptions from EPCs
Place of worship
Temporary buildings
Some listed buildings
What are the punishments for not providing an EPC?
Fine = 2.5% RV
Minimum 500
Max 5,000
What are MEES
Not to let if EPC below F/G
What are landlords obligations?
Permissible = consent not given for alterations
Appropriate = reduce value of 5%
Cost effective = 7 year rule
How to building sustainably?
Insulate
Air tightness
Thermal mass
Natural light
Sustainable material
Renewable technology
Minimise waste
Name three key areas on social responsibility
ESG
Environmental Social Governance
What is a green loan?
Financing for projects which contribute to environmental objectives such as EPC improvements, upgrading to solar or wind power
Kyoto protocol?
Effect Feb 2005, countries reduction in emissions target equating to average 5%
Replaced by Paris agreement
MEES in resi
Since 1 April 2020, cannot let or continue to let below E unless exempt
MEES cost cap
Required to spend 3,500 (including VAT) on efficiency improvements.
If not reach E, make all improvements up to 3,500 and register ‘all improvements made’ exemption
MEES Commercial
1 April 2023 - E or above
Not apply to term certain not exceeding 6 months or term certain of 99 years or more
Non-domestic EPC exemptions
7 year payback test
- savings over 7 yr period on energy bills are less than cost of repaying it
- exemption lasts 5 years
What is Passivhaus?
Buildings that use substantially less energy for heating than those constructed in line with current Regs
What is the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
In 2015 the UN published a list of 17 SDG as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmnt
Incl eliminating poverty, taking climate action, ensuring good health
What is net zero?
Greenhouse gas emissions balance by removal from the atmosphere by 2050
What is ICMS?
RICS with prominent organisations developed International Cost Management Standard for developing, benchmarking, measuring and reporting construction costs
Recent RICS publication re sustainability?
Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) for the built environment
2nd edition effective 1 July 2024
Standards for whole life carbon assessment including recording any deviations
Who are the Better Building Partnership?
28 members
Uk main property owners and agent
What is the affect of property on the environment
Nearly 40% of carbon dioxide emissions come from real estate sector
What is a waste management plan?
Apply from 6 April 2008
Compulsory for construction projects over 300k
Management of materials efficiently
How to dispose, re-use and recycle
What is the Control of Asbestos Regulation 2008?
A piece of legislations which imposed obligations on Employers to:
Manage exposure to asbestos within the workplace.
Undertake Risk Assessments before commencing work around asbestos.
Create a detailed plan (Method Statement) of how the works will be carried out around the asbestos.
Prevent and reduce exposure.
Types of asbestos
White = chrysotile
Brown = amosite
Blue = chrosidolite
RICS sustainability report 2023
Industry woke up call
Demand for sustainable buildings up
High cost and lack for evidence for return barriers to green investments
Which rule of conduct links with sustainability?
Rule 3 - good quality and diligent service
MEES in the future
Intention to raise to a B in 2030
What is ESOS?
Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme
Remove display energy certs as compliance method
Mandatory energy assessment scheme - every 4 years
Audits of energy used by buildings, industrial processes and transport
Identify cost effective measure to save energy costs and achieve carbon saving
Qualification for ESOS
Employs 250 people +
Turnover in excess of 44.1m
Balance sheet in excess of 37.9m
Gas boilers out
2030
Common environmental issues in construction sites?
Risk of land degradation
Risk to flora and fauna
Risk of water pollution
Air pollution
Land contamination
Noise and vibrations
High energy usage and emissions co2
High wastage production into landfill
Release of gases and dangerous materials
Principles of sustainability?
Pillars of sustainability
Social: healthy communities
Economical: strong, responsive, competitive economy
Environmental: protecting and enhancing natural, built and historic environment
Legislation relating to sustainability
Landfill tax
Climate Change Level - introduced by 2000 Finance Bill = tax on energy used
What is climate change?
Shift in average weather over recent years
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap the suns heat and cause the plants temperature to rise
What was agreed at COP26?
Phase down coal
Reduce use of coal
Increased funds to developing countries to cope with climate change
Explain green mortgages
Rewards buying energy efficient home
Favourable terms
Low interest rate or cash back
What is urban greening factor?
Evaluates and measured the amount of urban greening to aid appropriate planning of greening on future developments
Aim to increase green cover around buildings
How does rule 3 link with sustainability?
Encourage solutions that are sustainable
What is Approved Document L volume 2?
Building reg document for conservation of fuel and power for buildings other than dwellings
What is the high cost exemption?
Obtained 3 quotes and cost to purchase and install cheapest recommendation exceeds 3,500 - exemption
What is the 7 year payback?
Non- domestic
Cost to purchase and install improvements does not meet a 7 year payback test
What is all improvements made exemption?
All improvements recommended are made but remains below an E
Name 3 types of EPC exemption?
All improvements made
7 year payback
Devaluation - more than 5%
High cost
New landlord - 6 months
Third party consent - consent required from LL
All have 5 year exemption
When do MEES not apply to non -domestic property?
Term less than 6 months or exceed 99 years
When were MEES for non-domestic enforced?
1 April 2018 - new letting
1 April 2023 - not to continue letting below E
What is the fine for non-compliance with EPC regs?
Fine of 500-5,000 depending on RV
What does ESG stand for?
Environmental, Social, Governance
What does ESG include?
Environmental - biodiversity, climate change, water and energy efficiency, management systems
Social - equal opps, health and safety, human rights, child labour
Governance - ethics, compliance, shareholder democracy
Name three ways to measure ESG?
BREEAM
LEED
MEES
What does BREEAM circularity and resilience focus on?
Encouraging durable design
Responsibly sourced materials
Reduce water and energy consumption
Waste reduction
What RICS information re sustainability?
Whole life carob assessment for the built environment eff July 2024
What were the findings in the RICS sustainability report 2023?
Demand for green buildings increased
What is the WLCA eff July 2024?
Whole life carbon assessment for built environment
What are the four principles of sustainablility?
Social - wellbeing, H&S
Environmental - preserve and maintain environment
Economic - reuse, less waste
Cultural - inclusion, heritage
What are the three objectives in the NPPF
Social
Economic
Environmental
What is ISO14001?
Integration standard for environmental management systems
Minimum environmental footprint
Commitment to reducing environmental impact
What was the outcome of COP26?
Phase out coal
Reduce greenhouse emissions by 2023
What is the aim of the Climate Change Act 2008?
Reduce carbon emissions lower than 1990 baseline
What are the five principles to PassivHaus?
High quality insulation
Heat control and reobust windows
Airtight construction
Heat recover by ventilation
Thermal bridge
What is carbon life cycle?
View of building carbon footprint
Impact from:
- material/excavation
- manufacturing
- transport
- construction
- maintenance
- repairs
- consumption of energy
- carbon use at end
Offers long term view
What is carbon offsetting?
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
-land restoration
-plant trees
What is embodied energy?
Carbon generated through energy consumption and chemical process
Emissions from all activities - creation to demolition
