Sustainability Flashcards
what is sustainability
meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs
why is it important in RE
RE accounts for 40 % of all global GHG emissions which poses risks to social , economic and environmental aspects of life
what are the aims of the Climate Change Act 2008
- aims to achieve net zero by 2050 in UK
- an interim target of 78% reduction in emissions by 2030
- regulations such as EPC imposed
- reduce construction impacts - material
- reduce operational impact - energy use
- offset any remaining carbon
-regular inspections of boilers
What are the ranked necessary actions needed to be taken according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) to reach net zero carbon
- establish Net Zero Carbon Scope - across whole life of buildings
- reduce construction impacts - changing materials and designs
- reduce operational energy use - retrofit efficiency measures
- Increase renewable energy supply on site and off site -
- offset any remaining carbon - last resort if cant be done through previous points
How does the Energy Efficiency of a Building affect it’s Value?
- Occupiers may pay premium for sustainable buildings so higher market rent
- investors conscious about the carbon footprint of the buildings and changing legislation
- Reduced energy consumption so lower running costs
- Inefficient buildings may require large capex in future
What is an EPC
- energy performance certificate
- rating scheme to summarise energy efficiency
- rating between A-G
- measured by looking at buildings co2 emission rate
- valid for 10 years unless being altered or refurbed
- includes tips on the most cost effective ways to improve energy performance
what are the EPC requirements for marketing
- within 7 days of marketing
- agents responsible for procuring EPCs
- must be on marketing particulars
- must have a link to EPC online
what are the penalties for not displaying EPC on marketing material
commercial - 12.5% of the RV (a minimum of £500 and ,max £5000)
resi - £200 civil fixed
what are the 5 provisions of an EPC under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
- higher standards of energy conservation for new and refurbished buildings
- establishing a calculation methodology for the energy performance of all buildings
- minimum requirements for energy performance of all buildings
- energy certification when leased or sold
- mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems
Where do you find EPCs?
On the EPC register from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government, there is a domestic and non-domestic register.
what is shown on EPC
- Address
- Floor area
- Rating from A-G with a number to indicate where about it lies within this letter bracket
- Date valid until (10 years)
- Certificate number
when are EPCs required
- 50 sqm or more if;
- Newly built
- Sold / leased
- Leased for longer than 6 months
- Refurbished
- Heating/air conditioning is altered
- Lease is assigned / sub-let
under what circumstance would you not need an EPC
- If the building is listed
- buildings that have no heating,
- religious buildings,
- buildings that are due to be demolished
What is on the front page of an EPC
- address
floor area
EPC register number
technical info on property
estimated running costs
EPC rating
benchmarking info
what are MEES and what does it require
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (2015)
- Requires all new leases to have min EPC of E by April 2018
- Requires all existing leases to have min EPC of E by April 2023 (2020 for resi)
Under what circumstances would you exempt MEES
- if building doesn’t need an EPC eg place of worship or listed
- industrial units with low energy demand (eg no heating)
- tenancy is under 6 months or over 99 years
- not possible to reach EPC rating above E after 7 year payback or improvements
- improvements would devalue the property more than 5%
- third party consent from T LL or planning authority for improvements is refused
these exceptions must be shown on the Local Authority Private Rented Sector Exception Register and renewed 5 yearly
what are the penalties for non compliance
commercial:
if breach <3months then £5,000 or 10% RV (max £50,000)
- if breach >3months then £10,000 or 20% RV (max£150,000)
resi:
-<3 months - £2,000
- >3 months - £4,000
- Policed by Local Authority
what are the potential changes to MEES regime
threshold change from E to B in 2030
Listed buildings will need EPC
All properties will fall within MEES scope
what is a Green Lease
- set of commitments from the LL and the T to agree to make energy improvements to the building eg EPC rating
- Better Buildings Partnership has releases a green lease toolkit with best practice recommendations
what is ESOS
Energy savings opportunity scheme
- energy assessment scheme that is mandatory for large UK organisations (more than 250 employees or annual turnover in excess of £44 million)
- measures total energy consumption across buildings, transport and industrial activities
- conduct energy audits to identify cost effective energy efficiency recommendations
- report compliance to the Environment Agency
What is the Heat Network (Billing and Metering) Regulations 2014
- relates to the provision of communal heating systems in multi occupied commercial and resi schemes
- final consumers must be provided with accurate meter readings/bills
what is the Climate Change Levy
CCL = tax on energy consumption for non-domestic users in the UK
- incentive to increase energy efficiency
- consumers charged directly to energy companies who forward to the UK Treasury
- energy created by renewable sources is exempt
what is the difference between an EPC and DEC
DEC - shows the actual amount of energy a building used in the last 12 months
EPC - shows theoretical efficiency of a building
when do you need a DEC
- required for public buildings over 250 sq m
- display actual energy used
what is biodiversity net gain
- BNG creates and improves natural habitats / biodiversity through the development process
- from feb 2024 - compulsory for all new developments to provide at least 10% BNG either on or off site
what is BREEAM and what does it aim to do
Buildings Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
- voluntary assessment tool
- 9 weighted environmental categories including energy consumption, water use, transport links, waste management, health and wellbeing
- 5 levels: outstanding excellent very good good and pass
- check BREEAM on GreenBookLive
what is WELL standard
aims to increase health and wellbeing through construction and design - popular with developers
can you give examples of other ratings
LEED (Leadership in energy and design (USA))
NABERS ( Australia and UK)
what is RICS SKA Rating scheme
- aims to be a sustainability standard measure of a building fit out
- gold silver and bronze awarded
what is the relevant Practice information on sustainability and what does it set out
The design, delivery, and management if healthy buildings: a practice guide October 2023
- sets out how healthy buildings impact our health in relation to building design, construction materials, sound, light, water, air quality. management
How do economic and social factors also play a role is sustainability?
- ESG is Environmental, Social and Governance.
- It is an evaluation of a firms collective conscientiousness of environmental factors
- Environmental criteria considers how a company performs as a steward of nature.
- Social criteria examines how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and communities where it operates.
- Governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls and shareholder rights.
What is the green industrial revolution?
- Governments 10-point plan to support ‘green jobs’
- Focus on transport infrastructure, power generation sector, buildings energy efficiency
