Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is carrying out activities without depleting resources or having harmful impacts
Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of?
Paris Agreement 2015
To limit global warming - below 2°C
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) - each country sets its own emission reduction targets
UK NDC is 81% reduction in greenhouse gas by 2035
How is the UK trying to implement net zero by 2050
- Decarbonising Electricity
- 2024 all coal fired power stations closed
- expanding renewable energy
- investing in nuclear power
Energy efficiency in buildings
Phasing out gas boilers by 2035 (replacing with heat pums)
MEES - future consultations
Discussions to raise from E to C for all commercial properties by 2030
- Decarbonising transport
- petrol and diesel phased out by 2035
MEES
December 2024 - consultation paper on the reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime (EPB)
Validity period from 10 years to 2 years
Multiple metrics to increase accuracy
Clarifying and consolidating regulations
Revising A/C inspection reports
No proposed timescale
What is the current MEES
Part 3 of the Principle 2015 Regulation of MEES
Landlord can not gran a new tenancy from 1 April 2018 and continue letting a property after 1 April 2023 with an EPC F or G
EPC exceptions
Listed building
Religious buildings
Temporary buildings
Buildings scheduled for demolition
Floor area less than 50sqm
Buildings not occupied for more than 4 months a year
How to register for MEES exemption (f or g)
Exemptions must be registered on the National PRS (private rented sector) Exemption Register.
A MEES exemptions
Energy efficiency payback is 7 years or more
All Improvements Made exemption - undertake all works and EPC remains F or G
Non compliance with MEES
less than 3 months = up to £5,000 or 10% of RV (whichever greater) max £50,000
More than 3 months = up to £10,000 or 20% of RV max £150,000
How long does an EPC last for
10 years
What is the future for MEES
Since Rishi Sunak paused the minimum EPC of C 2027 and B by 2030 there has been no update
February 2025 consultation on domestic PRS about increasing the MEES
What is RICS commitment to sustainability
RICS 2024 business plan
To be leading on global issues such as decarbonisation, climate resilience. All down to Sustainability leadership
What happens every 5 years
The Climate Change Act 2008, creates a carbon budget every 5 years.
In 2019, the Act required the UK to achieve net zero by 2050.
What does an EPC contain
A+ to G metrics
Recommendation report
Comparison with another building
The EPC measures the environmental impact from the building
When a new EPC is needed
When a building is sold, newly built, or let for a term longer than 6 months
Or when newly refurbished, upgrades to building services
Lasts for 10 years
What are the limitations of an EPC
The main metric Environmental Impact Rating (EIR) can give an incomplete picture of energy performance in the context of grid decarbonisation.
