Sustainability

Question 1

What do you understand about sustainable development?

Answer 1

Sustainable development can be defined as economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a model for addressing the most important economic, social and environmental challenges of our time.

RICS, as a participant of the UN Global Compact – the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, is committed to supporting delivery of the SDGs in the land, construction, real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Among these goals are the following:
No poverty and hunger.
Quality education.
Clean water and sanitisation.
Affordable and clean energy.
Climate action.
Reduced inequalities.
Responsible consumption and production.

To advance our sector’s important role, RICS joined forces with the UN Global Compact to drive awareness and action in support of achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Question 2

What do you understand about how BREEAM measures sustainability?

Answer 2

Building Research Establishment
Energy Assessment Method.

This is a complex model based on assessment in:

• energy.
• health and wellbeing.
• innovation.
• land use.
• materials.
• management.
• pollution.
• transport.
• sustainable management.
• sustainable water use.

Sustainability also driven by building regs:

Part L - conservation of fuel and power.

Question 3

What changes in MEES are planned for 2023?

Answer 3

From April 2023 Minimum Energy Efficiency standards will apply to all CONTINUED commercial lettings and not just new lettings.

Question 4

What do you understand about ‘green leases’?

Answer 4

A ‘green lease’ is a lease that incorporates clauses whereby the owner and the occupier undertake specific responsibilities/obligations with regards to the sustainable operation/occupation of a property, for example: energy efficiency measures, waste reduction/ management and water efficiency.

There are a number of reasons a landlord or tenant may want to enter into a green lease, including:

• achieve greater energy and resource efficiency to reduce costs.
• comply with corporate social responsibility policies.
• comply with statutory requirements to report on environmental issues.

Up to a fifth of UK buildings may be unlettable due to MEES. Green leases allow owners and occupiers to collaborate to enable improvements and identify the roles and responsibilities of each.