Sustainability Flashcards
Give me an example of sustainable construction ?
“Use of environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.
Retrofitting.
Use of sustainable insulation products.”
What are the challenges of net Zero?
“More than 90% of the country’s current energy provision comes from gas, coal, oil diesel and petrol,
It is not meant to exist in 27 years time.
Although steps are heading in the right direction for decarbonisation, an overhaul of every aspect of lift is required”
What does MEES stand for ?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Which properties are MEES exempt?
Building not required to have EPC such as industrial sites, non residential agricultural buildings, certain listed buildings, holiday lets etc.
Why is sustainability important?
To preserve the planet and natural resources for future generations
What is sustainability ?
“Meeting the needs of the present without comprimising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
“Social - Social sustainability is the ability of society to persistently achieve good social well-being.
Environmental - Environmental sustainability means we are living with the means of our natural resources.
Economic - requires that a buisiness or country uses it resources efficiently and responsibility so that it can operate in a sustainable manner to consistenly produce an operational profit.
What does BREEAM stand for
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
What is BREEAM?
“Environmental Assessment Method was developed by BRE and covers new construction as well as fit outs.
It assessed buildings against various performance criteria and awards credits.
Credits are awarded under Management health and well-being, energy efficiencym transport, water usage, materials, waste, land use, ecology, pollution, innovation.”
The total amount of credits will lead to a rating of unclassified, pass, good, V. good, Excellent or Outstanding.
What is U-value
Value given to a material based on its insulation quality - i.e the time it takes for heat to pass through.
Name some sustainability legislation?
MEES, Climate Change Act etc.
List some local changes you’ve adopted in line with sustainability ?
BNG
What is the Paris Agreement ?
191 countries joined to meet with the aim to strengthn the global response to the threat of climate change
They aim to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees above pre-indsutrial levels and event try to keep them below 1.5 degrees. Also to use 20% renewable energy by 2050.
What approved docs cover sustainability?
“Part L of the building regulations - Conservation of fuel and power.
Part L aims to achieve net zero carbon buildings or as close to it as possible giving practical guidance on ways of complying with energy efficient requriements.
Overheating
EV charging”
BREEAM thresholds?
“BREEAM Rating % score
Outstanding > 85
Excellent >70
Very Good > 55
Good > 45
Pass >30
Unclassified < 30”
What is LEED?
LEED (Leadership in Energy Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world (USA)
What are the 7 element of a sustainable building?
“Insulation
Airtightness
Thermal Mass
Natual light
Sustainable material
Structural Systems
Renewable technologies.”
Whats sustainable development ?
Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
Whats the construction leadership council ?
CLC workd
How can the energy performance of an existing building be improved?
“Insulation
Double glazing
Rated boiler
Use of renewable energy
Sustainable materials
What is embodied carbon?
Considering the carbon that will be used to manufacture a product eg. Sourcing the materials, manufacture, delivery, disposal.
What is the Climate Change Act 2008?
Sets out emission reduction targets within the Uk. It commits the UK to reducing greenhouse gasses by 80% by 2050 but this was updated in 2019 to be net zerio by 2050.
What target in the Climate Act Act was subsequently introduced?
A further interim target was introduced to reduce emissions be 78% by 2030 compared to 1991 levels.
What has the government done to achieve net zero?
“Introducing a 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution which includes items like;
Offshore wind,
greener buildings
green finance
investment in carbon capture storage”
What has the property industry done to achieve net zero?
“The greenbuilding council has set a framework to address this issue:
1. Establishing a Net Zero Carbon Scope for the whole lifecycle of a building
2. Reduce construction impacts by changing to more sustainable building materials and sustainable designs.
3. Reduce operational energy use.
4. Increase renewable energy supply
5. Offset any remaining carbon “
What is net zero carbon?
“This is where greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by their removal from the atmosphere.
“
What is your firms sustainability policy ?
“Reducing the use of printed materials where possible,
Car sharing,
Cycle to work schemes,
Use of public transport where possible,
Use of technology,
Recycling.”
Explain biodiversity net gain?
“BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitates to deliver measurable positive impact.
It is a policy reponse to significant decline in biodiversity in recent decades.
It works by requiring new developments to provide at least 10% BNG secured for at least 30 years either through onsite or offsite measures”
When was BNG effective ?
“12th February 2024 for major developments (10 + dwellings/ 0.5ha <)
2nd April 2024 for small sites (<10 dwellings / <1000sqm/<1ha)”
How do you calculate BNG delivered ?
“Statutory Biodiversity Metric
Measures the value of a sites habitats using biodiversity units.
The metric compares the biodiversity value before and after development to determine if there is a net gain or loss in biodiversity.”
Who holds developers compliance with BNG accountable ?
Local Authorities.
What are part L of building regulations?
Part L Building Regulations are a set of guidelines that establish minimum standards for the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings in the UK.
What do they (Part L building regs) cover ?
Insulation, heating systems, lighting, ventilation, use of renewable energy.
What do they do ? Part L
Set minimum standards for energy performance.
How are they divided? Part L
“Part L1A for new builds
Part L1b for renovations”
When do they come into effect? Part L new upgrade
15th June 2022
What do they require for compliance ? Part L
Building regulations england part L compliance report signed by the SAP assessor and developer along with photographic evidence.
What are FHS?
“Future Homes Standards are the next generation of Part L building regs.
They are a new energy efficiency and low carbon heating standard for new homes in England.
What will FHS do ?
“1. reduce carbon emissions (70%-80% fewer carbon emissions).
2. Use low carbon energy sources
3. Improve energy efficiency
4. Make homes airtight and breathable.
5. Introduce FHS in 2025.”
When will they come into effect? fSH
2025
Nine Protected Characteristics?
“1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Marriage / Civil Partnership
5. Pregnancy and maternity
6. Race.
7. Religion
8. Sex
9. Sexual orientation”
What is Real estate Balance ?
A membership organization that works to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the Real Estate Industry.
What are MEES ?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and they aim to improve the efficiency of privately rented properties. They came into force on 1st April 2018.
What are the latest changes to Part L of the Building Regulations?
Part L aims for all new homes in England to produce 30% fewer carbon emissions than homes under the current requirements
What is the RICS campaign in relation to sustainability ?
“RICS Value the planet.
Promotes preservation of the planet through the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development goals.”
What is green construction?
Green construction is the practice of creating structures using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout the life cycle of the building.
When is an EPC required?
When a building is built, sold or rented.
When must you display an EPC?
Commercial Properties over 500sqm and that are frequently visited by the public.
How long is an EPC valid for ?
10 years
What is an EPC?
“Energy Performance Certificate - Measure of the designed energy usage of the property
Will look at factors such as windows, insulation and the potential for upgrading.
Requirement introduced in 2008. Must be produced when a building is constructed, sold, rented out or subject to major alterations.
Rates properties A-G and must provide recommendations to improve the property.”
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate - similar to EPCs but required for public/government occupied buildings
What is the purpose of the DECs and when is one required?
To raise public awareness of the energy performance of the building
When is an EPC not required?
Listed buildings, places of worship, buildings that are due to be demolished and temporary structures.
What is included within an EPC?
“Property address
Property floor area
EPC certificate number
EPC expiry date
Information on the property’s energy provision
Estimation of energy running costs
Energy performance ratings (A-G).”
What are the fines in place for non-compliance?
resi - £200 fixed penalty
Who enforces those penalties for EPCs?
Local Authorities Trading Standards
Who can produce an EPC?
Accredited Energy Assessor
What are MEES ?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and they aim to improve the efficiency of privately rented properties. They came into force on 1st April 2018.
What are minimum mees standards?
“Requires all properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of at least E.
Government intends to raise the minimum EPC rating to C by 2030.”
What are the MEES exemptions?
One is that if energy efficient improvements would devalue the property by over 5%.
What are the penalties for non-compliance? Mees
Maximum £5000
What are the 5 key themes from the 2022 RICS sustainability report?
“1. There is a lot of discussion and no meaningful action.
2. It is a matter of cost.
3. We need a change in process
4. Bring renovation of the existing building stock into focus.
5. Policy and the right incentives are important.”
Who enforce MEES
Local Authority
What did the UK agree to as part of the Kyoto protocol ?
To reduce the onset of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentration in the air.
What is the aim of the climate change act?
To be carbon neutral by 2050.
What is the current EPC spending cap?
£3500 including VAT
What is the plans for EPC spending cap?
Talks for this to be upgraded to £10,000
What are the potential fines for not having an EPC? For non dwellings
“Non-dwellings is fixed, in more cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building, subject to a minimum penalty of £500 and a maximum of £5000.
A default penalty of £750 is used where the formula cannot be applied.”
When are gas boilers being phased out?
“The government has announded that by 2025 all new homes will be banned from installing gas and oil boilers and will instead be heated by low carbon alternatives.
“
What is a responsible business ?
RICS define a responsible business as ‘operating efficiently and responsibly. It meets and exceeds legislation and always considers its impact on people and the environment.
What is RICS Responsible business framework?
RICS Responsible Business Framework December 2021
What are SAP Calculations?
SAP stands for ‘Standard Assessment Procedure’ and is the governments method for calculating the energy performance of dwellings. These calculations are only necessary for residential properties
What or who are the BRE group ?
An innovative group of researchers and scientists, engineers and technicians who share a common goal to make the built environment better for all. We generate new knowledge through independent research.
What does UK planning policy stipulate in relation to sustainability of new buildings?
“Developments with high levels of sustainability should not be refused on the grounds of incompatility wuith existing townscape.
Local Planning Authoriries should support energy improvements to existing buildings.”
What is the building carbon database?
“The aim of the database is to allow users to identify where associated carbon emission reductions can be made, during all stages of a buildings lifecycle.
This can allow users to benchmark the whole life cycle of their carbon emissions.”
Why is it important for surveyors to consider sustainability?
As we have an impact on buildings throughout their lifecycle.
What does the rules of conduct say about sustainability ?
Members and firms, when advising clients about projects encourage solutions that are sustainable in that they minimise harm and deliver balanced economic, social and environmental benefits.
