Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Involves careful resource management and minimising environmental harm
What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
ESG -
Environmental - company’s impact on environment.
Social - how a company interacts with employees, customers & communities.
Governance - company’s leadership and management practices.
What is the RICS’ commitment to sustainability?
- Integrating sustainability into professional standards, set of sustainability guidance, education and training.
- Aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (sustainable cities, climate action, responsible consumption & production).
- Net zero by 2030.
What is the Paris Agreement 2015?
Agreement between UN countries limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while striving to limit it to 1.5°C.
2024 - first year it was over 1.5°C.
What is the Climate Change Act 2008?
UK legislation that legally commits the country to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.
Amended in 2019 to require UK to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050.
Interim target to reduce emissions by 78% by 2030.
What are the MEES 2015?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Leases from:
1st April 2023 – minimum E rating
1st April 2028 – minimum C rating.
1st April 2030 – minimum B rating
What are the penalties for not following MEES 2015?
If it has lasted less than 3 months, 10% RV (max £50k), over 3 months 20% RV (max £150k).
Policed by Local Authority.
What are some exemptions from MEES 2015?
Payback period over 7-year payback
5% loss in value
Places of worship and buildings with less than 6m tenancy don’t need EPCs.
Listed Buildings exempt where “character and appearance” are altered by recommended efficiency measures.
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method - Provides a framework for measuring, improving, and recognising the environmental performance of buildings throughout their lifecycle.
What are the BREEAM ratings?
Pass
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Outstanding
What are the categories for BREEAM?
Energy
Water
Waste
Transport links
Health & wellbeing
What is an EPC rating?
Energy Performance Certificate - measure of the energy efficiency of a building.
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
What are the ratings of an EPC?
A+ - G
What is included in an EPC?
- Address / floor area
- EPC ref number
- Technical info on energy performance
- Estimated running costs
- Energy performance rating
- Benchmarking information
- Recommendations
What is Net Zero?
Where the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted is equal to the amount removed.
