Sustainability Flashcards
How does RICS promote Sustainability in Practise?
- Evidence based Research
- Best Practice Requirements eg. 3.10 in Rules of Conduct (2021) & Updates to Red Book 2025
- Best Practice Training
What have the RICS & UN Global Compact agreed?
To consider how organisations can identify and address the impact of their activities
What are the Net Zero Targets in the UK?
Net Zero Carbon by 2050
78% reduction by 2030
As in the Climate Change Act 2008, amended 2019
What is the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) Pledge?
Many Funds & REITS have signed up, committing to Net Zero Carbon by 2050
What are the necessary actions under the UK Green Building Council? Ranked
- Establishing Net Zero Carbon Scope
- Reduce construction impacts
- Reduce operational Energy Use
- Increase Renewable Energy Supply
- Offset any remaining carbon
What are the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements in England & Wales?
For all commercial buildings >50sqms when newly built or
refurbished
Which buildings are exempt from EPC requirements?
Listed Buildings
If no Heating
Religious Buildings
Temporary buildings
Demolition
How long are EPCs valid for?
10 years unless the building is altered
What are the Penalties for not meeting EPC requirments?
12.5% of Rental Value fine (£500-£5,000)
What must an EPC certificate include?
- Address & Floor area
- Refernce number
- Technical info on energy provision
- Estimate of energy cost
- Rating A+ to G
- Benchmarking
What are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) 2015?
1st April 2018 - new leases must be in buildings EPC E or above
1st April 2023 - all existing leases EPC E or above
What changes to MEES have been discussed by the government?
Government intends to raise mimimum EPC to c BY 2027 and B by 2030
What is the non-compliance penalty for MEES?
Different for commercial and residential
Commercial:
* Where a breach has lasted less than <3 months – up to £5,000 or (if greater) 10% of the rateable value with a maximum penalty of £50,000
* Where a breach has lasted more than >3 months, up to £10,000 or (if greater) 20% of the rateable value with a maximum penalty of £150,000
Residential is £2k and £4k caps
What are the 3 routes to exemption from MEES?
- Upgrade would me more than a 7yr payback
- 5% loss in value
- Lack of consent
What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)?
Requirement of firms of 250+ employees to measure total energy consumption, conduct energy audits and report compliance
Whats are the Heat Network (Billing & Metering) Regulations 2014?
relates to occupiers in multi let properties receiving individual metering for their space
What is the Climate Change Levy (CCL)?
tax on non-dom energy users
What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
Require for new developments to deliver minimum 10% BNG for at least 30 years
What does BREEAM Stand for?
The Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method
What is BREEAM?
A voluntary assessment tool to rate commercial buildings (pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding)
Assess on 9 categories eg. energy consumption, water use, transport links
What is set out in the RICS Practice Information: The Design, Delivery & Mangement of Healthy Buildings: A Practical Guide (2023)?
How healthy buildings impact our health in design, construction materials, sound, light, water and air quality
Importance of considering Health and well being in ESG
What is the WELL Building Standard?
Rates space on how it optimises health and mental wellbeing of occupiers
What are Green Lease Clauses?
Sustainability focused clauses are increasing requested by occupiers eg. info sharing on energu useage
Toolkit provided by BBP
What is the aim of the RICS SKA Rating Scheme?
To standardise sustainability in fit outs
