Sustainability Flashcards
What do you understand sustainable development to be?
The widely accepted definition from the Brundtland report 1987 is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This takes into account economic, environmental and social impacts of development.
How is sustainability important in your area of practice?
Sustainability is important to consider in development as unsustainable developments and building practices can cause environmental damage, as well as economic and social damage through inappropriate land uses or design.
What is your industry doing to improve sustainability?
- The National Planning Policy Framework has introduced a presumption in favour of sustainable development into the planning system, encouraging development which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
- Brownfield register to promote development on previously used land
- Local Authorities can set policies in their Local Plans which require compliance with energy performance standards that exceed the requirement of Building Regulations
- UK cut carbon emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 as per the Climate Change Act 2008
What are the RICS doing to address sustainability?
- RICS Ska Rating scheme – measures fit out sustainability with Gold, Silver or Bronze awarded
- RICS GN Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation – valuers should collect sustainability data and include sustainability into value consideration
What methods are there for measuring a building’s energy performance?
- BREEAM
2. Energy Performance Certificates
What is BREEAM?
BREEAM is a voluntary performance rating for new and refurbished commercial and residential buildings. The building is rated on its environmental impact including energy consumption, waste management and transport links. There are five ratings from Pass to Outstanding. A certain level of BREEAM can also be required as a condition of planning permission.
What are EPCs and when are they required?
• An EPC is required for all commercial buildings over 50 sqm when they are sold, let, newly built or newly refurbished.
• Listed buildings and buildings which have planning permission to be demolished are exempt.
• They are required to be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing
• The maximum time is 28 days
• The energy rating is required to be displayed on property particulars and advertisements
• The EPC will include:
Address and floor area
Certificate reference number
Information of the property’s energy provision
Estimation of running costs
An energy performance ranking A+ to G
Benchmarking information
• Landlords or agents are responsible for ensuring the building has an EPC
• EPCs are valid for 10 years unless there are any alterations
• There is a £200 penalty for non display of EPC information for residential properties
Have there been any recent changes to EPC requirements?
The Energy Efficiency Regulations were passed by law in April 2015. These make it a legal requirement to have a minimum EPC rating of Level E in order to let a building from 1st April 2018 onwards. This also applies to residential properties for leases in existence from April 2020.
What are Predicted Energy Assessments?
These follow the same principles as EPCs however are for properties which are sold off plan before being completed. This is based on plans and design information. You are not required to put the PEA on marketing material. Once the building is at second fix you will be required to convert the PEA into an EPC, even if the unit has been sold as solicitors will not complete without it. If the scheme is under a NHBC warranty, they will require both a PEA and an EPC.
What are the requirements of the Energy Act 2011?
The Energy Act put in place measures to attract investment into low-carbon technologies and carbon dioxide emission reductions. It also required the government to set minimum energy performance standards for domestic and non-domestic property, which were passed in 2015 as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
What does an EPC contain?
Address, Reference Number, Energy performance asset rating, Technical information, benchmarks. then admin info on back page.
What does the Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation contain
Australian document which highlights international sustainability such as BREEAM and LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design)
Tenancy Rating Schemes such as the The SKA Rating scheme was developed by Skansen,
RICS and AECOM to measure the environmental
impact of fit out
When do you need an EPC of E or above? (MEES)
April 2018 commercial and domestic new Lettings
April 2020 - all domestic Lettings
April 2023 - commercial Lettings
