Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
The ability to meet the demands of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What is the legislation in the UK that deals with the issue of sustainability in building construction?
Climate Change Act 2008
Energy Act 2011
Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004
Building Regulation Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
ISO 14000
What is an EPC?
An energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy efficient a property is.
An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) and is valid for 10 years
£5K Fine for not complying
When is an EPC required?
- Selling a property
- renting a property
- building a new property
Why is sustainability important in this sector?
40% of greenhouse emissions come from buildings with more coming from the construction and development of buildings.
Sustainability practices can help reduce the sectors environmental footprint and reduce climate change.
What role does the RICS play within sustainability?
Evidence based research on matters on how the property industry can help achieve net zero
Best practice statements and practice information
Training
What role does the UK Gov play within sustainability?
- UK Government aligns economic growth with net zero ambitions, ensuring that the UK meets its target of net-zero emissions by 2050
- This includes the Climate Change Act 2008, which sets legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Minimum energy performance requirements for all buildings
- EPC for all buildings if selling, renting or building properties
- Mandatory inspection of all boilers
Across the field of Surveying, what Statuatory Requirements do know about that relate to sustainability?
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
Building Regulations
EPC’s
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2008.
Are you aware of any of the Building Regulations that are especially prevenlant to your area of specialism?
Part L = Conservation of Fuel and Power, It is broken down in 4 parts:
Part L1 A: New dwellings
Part L1 B: Existing dwelling
Part L2 A: New non-dwellings
Part L2 B: Existing non-dwellings
What RICS publications are there relating to UK Net Zero Carbon Emissions?
RICS publication on Decarbonising UK real estate 2022
provided the UK government with recommendations to enhance thir polices used for decarbonise real estate.
What is the climate change levy?
Introduced in 2001, the tax is on energy consumption in commercial, residential and public sector buildings, with the aim to encourage business to become more energy efficient.
What is the Paris Agreement?
A legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015 by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21). Its primary goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels
What has been the out come of the most recent COP conference?
Key aspects of COP29 in Azerbaijan in 2024:
Focus: Climate finance, specifically increasing the flow of resources to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Agreement: An agreement was reached to triple climate finance to developing countries, raising the target from $100 billion per year to $300 billion by 2035.
What is the Brundtland Commission?
Established in 1983 by the UN
The commission was created to examine and address the growing concern over the environmental and social impact of human development and to propose polices for sustainable development that meet the demands of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.
What are the penalties of non-compliance of sustainability regulations?
Most common is Civil Penalties
Failure to comply with an EPC can result in an initial penalty of up to £5,000 followed by a daily fine of £500 for each day of non compliance.
