Sustainability

Question 1

What methods are used to assess sustainability?

Answer 1

BREEAM, LEED, EPC

Question 2

What is BREEAM?

Answer 2

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is a tool used to assess, verify and certify sustainability of buildings. It is a holistic process which takes into account a number of factors such as design, waste management, water strategy, noise pollution, energy performance, economic impact, flood risk assessment

Question 3

What is LEED?

Answer 3

Leadership Energy and Environmental Design, another method for assessing sustainability established in the USA and gives a rating of silver, gold and platinum.

Question 4

What are the BREEAM Ratings?

Answer 4

Outstanding - 85% 
Excellent 
Very Good 
Pass 
Unclassified 
(unclassified is a non compliant building)

Question 5

What is an EPC?

Answer 5

Energy Performance Certificate used to assess energy performance of any new building, building up for sale or for rental.

Question 6

What buildings do not require an EPC?

Answer 6

Temporary buildings, places of worship, agricultural or light industrial units, listed buildings.

Question 7

What are the 3 Pillars of Sustainability?

Answer 7

Economic, Environmental and Social

Question 8

What is a sustainable development?

Answer 8

As per the Bruntland report definition it is a ‘development which has the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 9

What legislation are you aware of in respect of sustainability?

Answer 9

Climate change Act 2008, Environmental Act 1990, Wildlife and Countryside Act, Flood and Water Management Act.

Question 10

What is the Climate Change Act 2008?

Answer 10

Legal framework to help reduce green house gas production , target for 2020 was 34% reduction.

Question 11

What is a waste management plan?

Answer 11

A plan that sets out how materials will be used and disposed off and also advises what materials will be reused and recycled.

Question 12

What is Passivhaus?

Answer 12

A method of construction which uses materials to insulate mitigating the need for space heating while still promoting indoor air quality.

Question 13

What is a Brownfield Site?

Answer 13

Land which has been used for industrial purposes and requires to be redeveloped.

Question 14

What is a greenfield site?

Answer 14

Land or site that is not constrained by any existing buildings or structures.

Question 15

What did the UK agree to a part of the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 15

Reduce greenhouses gases by 12.5% below base levels.

Question 16

What was the aim of the Paris Agreement?

Answer 16

To hold global average temperature increases below 2oC above pre-industrial levels and limit temp increases to 1.5oC.

Question 17

What was the Target of the Climate Change Act 2008?

Answer 17

Was originally to reduce greenhouse gases to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050 but was now changed to ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050.

Question 18

When must you display a EPC?

Answer 18

When the total floor area is over 500m2 or more and visited frequently by the public.

Question 19

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 19

10 years.

Question 20

What is SKA Rating?

Answer 20

Enviromental assessment method led and owned by the RICS for non domestic fit outs. Promotes good practice methods and fit outs can be awarded 3 levels bronze, silver or gold.

Question 21

What is Section 63 of The Climate Change Act 2008?

Answer 21

Section 63 is the assessment and energy performance of non domestic buildings. Requires owners to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from buildings.