Sustainability Flashcards
Do you know any alternative sustainability assessments to BREEAM?
- LEED - Leadership in Energy, Environment and Design (Used by US)
- SKA - Skanson - RICS own assessment method for office fit-out.
- CEEQUAL
Do you know any UK legislation that deals with Sustainability?
- Sustainability Act
- Clean Air Act
- Energy Act
- Climate Change Act
What are the 3 Pillars of sustainability?
- Social (not building a fast food restaurant near a school)
- Economic (ensuring value for money)
- Environmental
What is outlined in Part L of the Building Regulations?
Part L sets the standard for energy performance and carbon emissions in new construction or change of use construction projects.
What building regulations are associated with sustainability?
Part L - the conservation of fuel and power.
What is decarbonisation?
Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the atmosphere. This is a crucial strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving net zero emissions.
How do you calculate carbon?
- Identify Emission Sources
- Collect Data
- Apply Emission Factors
- Calculate Emissions
- Report Emissions
What are the sections within a BREEAM report?
- Management
- Health & Wellbeing
- Energy
- Transport
- Water
- Materials
- Waste
- Land use and ecology
- Pollution
- Innovation (additional 10%)
What technologies are you aware of to comply with Part L?
Solar Panels, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, SUDS, green roofs.
What are the thresholds for BREEAM rating?
- Outstanding - 85%
- Excellent - 70%
- Very Good - 55%
- Good - 45%
- Pass - 30%
- Unclassified - <30%
What is a U-value?
Measures how well a building conducts heat.
Lower value means better insulation & heat loss
What does carbon neutral mean?
Carbon neutral means balancing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount removed or offset. This is achieved by reducing emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable practices, and offsetting any remaining emissions through initiatives like reforestation or carbon capture. The goal is to have a net-zero carbon footprint.
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building
Research
Establishment
Environmental
Assessment
Method
What are T&T’s sustainable initiatives?
Minimise travel
Recycling bins
Lighting and taps in timers and sensors
Net Zero 2030
What is Passivhaus?
Performance-based design criteria for very low energy buildings (90% less energy than normal)
What is an SBEM tool?
Simplified Building Energy Model
Calculates energy performance of new commercial, industrial & retail buildings
What is a DEC?
Display Energy Certificate
Used for energy performance of public buildings
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate
Provides indication of how much it will cost to heat and power a property.
What are SUDS?
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Used to efficiently manage the drainage of water in the urban environment.
Swales, basins and ponds, permeable paving, rainwater harvesting
Has there been any recent sustainability reports issued by the RICS?
RICS Sustainability Report 2024: Published in November 2024, this global report outlines the current state of green and sustainable real estate. It highlights essential policy recommendations aimed at driving the UK’s built environment sector towards decarbonisation.
Can you give me some examples of toolbox talks?
Informal safety meeting that discusses the risks of specific health and safety issues on your site and allows you to think about ways to deal with them.
Accident Prevention
Asbestos
Confined Spaces
COSHH
Dust
Electrical Safety
Excavations
Fire Safety
First Aid
Gas Safety
Ladder Use
Manual Handling
Mobile Phones
Noise at Work
Outdoor Working
PPE
Safety Signs
Slips and Trips
Stress
Transport Management
Vibration
Welfare Facilities
Working at Height
What role does a Quantity Surveyor play in sustainability?
Whole life costing enduring long term sustainability, advising materials and construction methods that balance cost, durability and environmental impact.
Budget for sustainable technologies.
Sustainable procurement - local suppliers, use recycled products
What is COP29?
29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) took place from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
COP30 is scheduled for October 31 to November 12, 2025, in Belém, Brazil.
