Sustainability

Question 1

The Climate Change Act 2008, as amended 2019
Achieving Net Zero - 2050

Answer 1

Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) - The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) created a framework addressing the issue:

1. Establish Net Zero Carbon Scope
2. Reduce Construction Impacts
3. Reduce Operational Energy Use
4. Increase Renewable Energy Supply
5. Offset Any Remaining Carbon

Question 2

EPCs - commercial penalties for breach

Answer 2

• Breach less than three months - up to £5k or, if greater, 10% of RV with a maximum penalty of £50k
• Breach more than three months - up to £10k or, if greater, 20% of RV with a maximum penalty of £150k

Question 3

EPCs - residential penalties for breach

Answer 3

• Less than three months - £2k
• More than three months - £4k

Question 4

What is Biodiversity Net Gain? (BNG)

Answer 4

Introduced by the Environment Act 2021
* A way of creating and improving natural habitats to deliver a measurable positive impact (net gain) on biodiversity through the development process, or through land management
* A policy response to the significant decline in biodiversity in recent decades
* From February 12th 2024, compulsory for new developments to delivery at least 10% BNG for at least 30-years, on or off site
* A Statutory Biodiversity Metric will be used to calculate the BNG delivered

Question 5

What is the Climate Chanage Levy?

Answer 5

• A tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users in UK
• Aimed to incentivise energy efficiency improvements to businesses and reduce carbon emissions
• Consumers charged by energy providers = £1.9b p.a. to UK Treasurey
• Renewable energy is exempt

Question 6

What happended at the Paris Agreement 2016?

Answer 6

• Agreement to reduce risks and impacts of climate change
• Limit global temperature rise by 1.5 degrees
• Reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030
• Net Zero by 2050

Question 7

What is Natural Capital?

Answer 7

the world’s stock of natural resources and the services they provide, which are essential for human life and the economy. These include things like forests, mineral deposits, fertile soil, air, water, and living organisms. Essentially, it’s the natural world’s assets that provide goods and services to society, often referred to as ecosystem services

Question 8

How much do carbon credits cost?

Answer 8

£25 / tonne / credit

Question 9

What is COP?

Answer 9

Committee of the Parties?

Question 10

What happened at COP29?

Answer 10

held in Baku, Azerbaijan, saw agreement on a new global climate finance goal, with the aim of mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035 for developing countries. It also addressed carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, concluded nearly a decade of negotiations on the issue. The conference also highlighted the importance of supporting adaptation and loss and damage from climate change