Sustainability Flashcards
Three factors of sustainability?
Social
Environmental
Economic
What did you learn from the CPD sustainability sessions?
Sustainable material choices and recycling scheme we can use when removing old carpet tiles
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What are the BREEAM rankings?
Pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding
What are some of the factors considered in a BREEAM assessment?
Energy consumption, water use, transport, waste management, health & well being
What are Bruntwood’s sustainability targets?
*From 2025, all common areas in our buildings will use electricity generated from truly renewable sources.
*By 2030, all electricity in our buildings will be generated from renewable sources and all major redevelopments will be net zero in construction and operation (common areas).
*Net zero carbon business by 2050.
What are some of the key RICS documents on Sustainability?
RICS Sustainability and ESG Guidance note 2021
RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment 2023
What does the RICS Sustainability and ESG Guidance note 2021 cover?
*Sets out the expectations for all RICS members to consider sustainability and ESG factors in their professional work.
*It outlines key responsibilities, including materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, and integration into valuation, development, and investment decisions.
What does the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment 2023 cover?
Methodology to assess carbon impacts across a buildings lifecycle
Supports net zero carbon strategies
What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are implemented by RICS?
*Sustainability report outlining latest data and recommendations
*International Building Operation Standard tool
*Participated in the COP29 2024 united nations climate change conference
Why have we got a new red book?
*New set of valuation standards as needed to reflect sustainability more
*VPS2 highlights need to gather info on sustainability and ESG, not just EPC
*VPS3 highlights need to reference sustainability and ESG in valuation reports
What usually makes the most impact in the energy sustainability of a building?
Insulation
What part of the building could you insulate and how?
Roof and walls with insulation boards
Floors with insulation foam
Windows with secondary glazing
How can energy efficiency and carbon reduction be improved throughout a building’s lifecycle?
- Design stage - building materials, sustainability frameworks (BREEAM), efficient systems eg LED lighting
- Construction - efficient construction methods, waste management minimising construction waste, local sourced materials
- In use Stage - smart buildings systems, renewable energy, encourage energy efficient user behaviour
- Refurbishment - retrofitting insulation and windows, replace old heating systems, green roof/walls, reuse existing structure
What actions are set out in the UK Green Building Council framework?
- Establish Net Zero Carbon Scope
- Reduce Construction Impacts
- Reduce Operational Energy Use
- Increase Renewable Energy Supply
- Offset Any remaining carbon
When is an EPC required?
When a property is for sale, to let, newly built or changes have been made
What does a landlord or owner have to have in place before letting a space?
An EPC
When don’t you need an EPC?
Listed
Religious
Building with no heating
Temporary buildings
Under 50sqm
Not occupied for more than 4 months of the year
What’s included on an EPC certificate?
Address
Rating from A to G
EPC Certificate reference number
Benchmarking Info
Floorspace
What are the EPC requirements for marketing?
Commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing - agents responsible, energy rating to be displayed, online must link to EPC
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years unless the building is altered
What are the penalties for not displaying EPC info?
Resi - £200 fixed charge
Commercial - 12.5% of the rateable value of the building (min £500, max £5k)
What’s the MEES requirements?
*Minimum EPC rating E, from 2018 new leases and April 2023 all existing leases
*Government expected to increase this to a C by 2020 potentially
What are some exemptions of MEES?
*EPC not needed
*Industrial unit or workshop
*Tenancy is less than 6 months
*Not feasible to improve the EPC rating
*Consent from tenant, landlord or planning authority is refused
*When it can be proven that the improvements would devalue a property by 5%
*Exemptions last for 5 years and cannot be transferred on sale
What are some penalties for not complying with MEES?
Commercial
less than 3 months £5k or 10% RV, max £50k
More than 3 months £10k or 20% RV, max 150k
Residential
Less than 3 months - £2k
More than 3 months - £4k
How might EPC regulations and MEES impact property values/landlord’s and/or investors strategies?
Values:
- Lower EPC = Lower value
- Marketability - buyers/tenants increasing factoring in ESG
Landlords:
- Upgrade pressures
- Invest in improving
- Void risk
- Stranded assets
Investor Strategies:
- EPC due diligence as part of acquisition
- Exit planning - properties with low EPC could reduce interest
- ESG mandates - some investors require energy efficiency/reduction as part of their real estate portfolio
What are some other key energy regulations?
Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
Climate Change Levy
Display Energy Certificates
UK Green Building Council
Biodiversity Net Gain
What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme?
Mandatory for large UK organisations
More than 250 employees, turnover more than 50m euros
They are required to measure energy consumption, conduct energy audits to identify energy saving opps and report compliance to the environment agency
What is the Climate Change Levy?
environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use. It’s designed to encourage businesses to be more energy efficient in how they operate, as well as helping to reduce their overall emissions.
What are Display Energy Certificates? (DECs)
They are required for public buildings over 250sqm, they display actual energy used and carbon dioxide emissions
What is the UK Green Building Council? (UKGBC)
A United Kingdom membership organisation, formed in 2007, which aims to ‘radically transform’ the way that the built environment in the UK is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.
What is the UK Green Building Council Framework?
Framework looks to address:
establishing net zero carbon scope
reduce construction impacts
reduce operational energy usage
Increase renewable energy supply on site and off site
Offset any remaining carbon
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
From Feb 2024 compulsory for all new developments to provide at least 10% BNG for at least 30 years, on or off site measures
Statutory metric used to calculate BNG
What is the WELL Building Standard?
This is a standard for buildings to be rated in respect of spaces that can optimise the health and mental wellbeing of occupiers
What is net zero?
Carbon neutrality is where the carbon emissions reduced are balanced with those being taken out of the atmosphere
