Sustainability

Question 1

Name 2 best practice docs where the RICS focus on Sustainability

Answer 1

1. Rules of conduct (Rule 3 - Encourage sustainable solutions as part of high quality service)
2. Red book global 2021 - VPGA 8 Valuation of real property interests

Question 2

In general what is the Red book VPGA 8 guidance on ESG and sustainability?

Answer 2

Advised to consider if the ESG/ Sustainability factors affect value. Particular care should be taken when assessing or commenting on ESG factors, as valuers may not have the specialist knowledge and experience required. In appropriate cases, the valuer may recommend making further enquiries and/or obtaining further specialist or expert advice in respect of these matters.

Question 3

How can energy efficiency of buildings be improved? (design, construction or refurb)

Answer 3

Design - Considering efficiency from the outset of building design so this is incorporated - The Design for Performance (DfP) initiative is a programme for offices to assist with this.

Construction - Using methods such as led lighting, ground source or air source heat pump, solar

Refurbishment - refurbishing buildings rather than demolishing - improving insulation or double glazing- trying to think about what we can reuse and that still has value to the building

Question 4

What is a current barrier to reducing carbon within the construction sector?

Answer 4

The RICS identified in a sustainability report that the construction sector measurement of carbon emissions is uncommon

– there are a lack of established, standards and guidance was highlighted as the main barrier inhibiting the sector from carbon emissions – – sharing of data/info and collab is necessary to develop the tool to monitor carbon emissions in the construction sector

Question 5

How can carbon reduction from buildings be achieved? (design, construction or refurb)

Answer 5

Design - Focus on measuring embodied carbon and to let this influence the design

Construction - Not incorporating a suspended ceiling in an office can save on embodied carbon

Question 6

What year is the UK’s net zero carbon target as agreed in the CLIMATE CHANGE ACT 2008?

Answer 6

2050

Question 7

By what year has the UK pledged to reduce emissions by 78%

Answer 7

2030

Question 8

When are EPCs required for commerical buildings?

Answer 8

FOR COMMERICAL BUILDINGS WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 50 SQM OR MORE when…

• It is newly build, sold or let for more than 6 months (&less than 99 years)
• It is newly refurbished and heating, AC or ventilation services are altered

Question 9

Are EPCs required for the sale or lease of resi buildings ?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What is the purpose of epcs?

Answer 10

To help meet the UK’s targets for the carbon budget by measuring performance and creating minimum standards

Question 11

What are the minimum energy efficiency standards in england and wales for commercial properties?

Answer 11

a landlord must not grant a new tenancy (including a renewal tenancy) of a property after 1 April 2018 or continue to let any property after 1 April 2023 where the property has an EPC Rating of F or G.

Question 12

How long does an epc cert last?

Answer 12

Valid for 10 years unless building is altered (then you need to get a new EPC)

Question 13

What are the limits of EPCs?

Answer 13

The EPC rating that is displayed consists of a fuel cost rating (SAP) which is called an Energy Efficiency Rating, and a carbon emission rating called an Environmental Impact Rating.

Neither of these ratings directly display energy efficiency as defined by energy used to provide a useful service.

There are good historic reasons why these ratings were selected, but they no longer support the UK’s new net zero carbon emissions target. For example, replacing a gas boiler with an electric heat pump does not improve a SAP2012 energy efficiency rating, yet the heat pump is three times more efficient!

Question 14

Give 2 examples of buildings exempt from EPCs

Answer 14

Listed buildings - If you can show that energy efficiency improvements would have a negative impact on a listed building
Places of worship

Question 15

Do you think the UK’s targets and EPC regs are feasible?

Answer 15

There is a lot of stock at EPC E – what do you do about current tenants ?/ how will you deal with these regs when buildings don’t comply e.g. listed buildings exemption

• Landlords have to spend money to retrofit assests to future proof them against regs

Question 16

What is the current gov legalisation under review regarding energy efficiency standards?

Answer 16

Minimum Energy Efficiency of Buildings Bill 2022-2023 - considering EPC B by 2030 for ALL RENTED Non-Domestic property provided it is technically feasible to do so.

Question 17

What are EPC requirements for marketing property?

Answer 17

• Must be commissioned within 7 days of marketing
• Actual rating to be displayed on brochures (fridge magnet if possible)
• There must be a link to EPC as part of marketing

Question 18

What are the limits of EPCS?

Answer 18

There are limits to EPCs in terms of how they measure enviro performance e.g. don’t focus on water management or the sustainability of construction materials but that these are the standards that have to be adhered to currently.

Question 19

What are the penalties for not showing EPC as part of marketing brochures?

Answer 19

Commercial - max penalty is EQUAL To 12.5% of the RV but capped at £5,000

Question 20

Are penalties imposed by the local authority for non-compliance with EPC reg?

Answer 20

YES - penalties depend on if the breach is less or more than 3 months with ultimate maximum penalty for commerical prop of £150,000

Question 21

MG ONLY - What have you achieved as an office sustainability enabler?

Answer 21

• Hosting an event focused on the social side of ESG by sharing cultures within the office
• Speaking to the office manager about how to improve the recycling within the office and going to roll out training to office employees
• Encouraging colleagues to reduce printing and print in black/white and double sided
• Arranging volunteering days with the wildlife trust for colleagues

Question 22

Why does the RICS think that ESG is valuable?

Answer 22

Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
factors should be seen as a platform for
sustainable development in the surveying
profession and aligned with long-term value
creation in the context of behaving in an
ethical and sustainable manner. T

Question 23

what is an ongoing rics sustainability intitivate?

Answer 23

collaborating with other prof bodies on built enviro carbon database