Sustainability '24 Flashcards
How is the RICS committing to sustainability?
- Evidence based research
- Implementation into best practice guidance and documentation
- Best practice training
- Certifications e.g RICS SKA rating
What is the climate change act?
It set a target for the year 2050 for the reduction of targeted greenhouse gas emissions
- Amended into 2019 for the UK to achieve net carbon zero by 2050
- Target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2030 was set
What is the Paris Agreement?
A legally binding international treaty signed in 2015 aiming to reduce the impact of climate change
What is your understanding of the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’?
Introduced in 2020 by the government and involved a 10-point plan to mobilise £12 billion
Targeted at:
- Power generation sector
- Transport infrastructure
- Buildings’ energy efficiency
- Enhancing the natural environment
- Encouraging ‘green’ investments
What is Part L of the building regulation?
Part L assesses buildings’ energy efficiency and carbon emissions to reduce the carbon footprint of new and existing buildings.
It sets standards for the energy performance of buildings, including:
- insulation
- heating
- lighting
- ventilation
- use of renewable energy.
What is the Better Buildings Partnership?
A number of UK REITs and funds have committed to achieving net zero by 2050 under this pledge
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have set out the framework for actions:
- Establish net zero scope
- Reduce construction impacts
- Reduce operational energy use
- Increase renewal energy supply
- Offset carbon
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate
When is an EPC required?
- For all commercial buildings over 50 sq. m
- Newly built and sold or let for a term more than 6 months (and less than 99 years)
- There are alterations to a/c, ventilation or heating
What are the exemptions for an EPC?
(LNRTR)
- Listed buildings
- buildings with no heating
- religious buildings
- temporary buildings
- buildings due to be demolished or redeveloped
What are the EPC requirements for marketing?
- Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing (28 day limit for procurement)
- Energy rating is required to be displayed
- All online marketing must have a link to the EPC to show the front page
What is included on the front page of an EPC?
(A.R.T.C.R.B)
- Address and floor area
- EPC reference number
- Technical info on energy provision
- Estimation of running costs
- Energy performance rating
- Benchmarking information
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years unless the building is altered
What are the penalties for breaching EPC regulations?
Policed by the local authorities Trading standards teams
Max penalty is 12.5% of the RV (min £500 and max £5,000)
What is MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
- Requirement for properties to have a minimum EPC rating of E to be let from April 1st 2018
- All leases from 1st April 2023
When was MEES introduced?
2015
What are the MEES exemptions?
- If the building does not require an EPC i.e place of worship
- Industrial units with a low energy demand
- Where the tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure
- Where the tenancy is more than 99 years
- When it is not feasible to improve the EPC rating (payback of 7 years or sooner - 3 quotes must have been obtained)
- When EPC works will devalue by more than 5%
- When consent is refused by a tenant
Exemptions last for 5 years and cannot be transferred on sale
What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES?
Policed by the Local Authority
- Where breach is less than 3 months - £5,000 or 10% of the rateable value
- Where breach is longer than 3 months - £10,000 or 20% of the rateable value
What are the potential changes to MEES?
MEES threshold to rise to C by 2027 and B by 2030
What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme?
(C.A.R)
An energy assessment scheme that is mandatory for large organisations in the UK (over 250 employees or turnover more than $50m)
Required to:
- Measure total energy consumption
- Conduct energy audits to identify cost effective recommendations
- Report compliance to Environment Agency
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establish Environmental Assessment Method
- Assessment tool used to rate buildings on sustainability
- Rating is based on energy consumption, water use, transport links, waste management and health and wellbeing
Ranks: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding
What is WELL?
A performance-based system for measuring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.
What is NABERS?
National Australian Built Environment Rating System
What is the RICS SKA rating?
The RICS environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit out
Measured on:
- Energy
- CO2
- Waste
- Water
- Pollution
- Transport
- Materials
- Wellbeing
Projects can achieve a SKA Bronze, Silver or Gold rating.
