Sustainability (L1)

Question 1

Why is sustainability so important?

Answer 1

The Stern Review 2006 concluded that the earths climate is rapidly changing as a result of increased greenhouse gases generated by human activity.

Question 2

What role can construction play in sustainability?

Answer 2

By prioritising sustainable materials and practices, sustainable construction helps preserve ecosystems, natural resources and reduces energy consumption minimising negative impacts on the environment, society and the economy.

Question 3

More than X % of the UK’s carbon footprint is attributed to the built environment

Answer 3

40%

Question 4

What are the UK sustainability goals?

Answer 4

Net zero by 2050

Question 5

What is net zero?

Answer 5

It is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas that is produced and the amount that is removed from the atmosphere

Question 6

What are the methods of assessing sustainability/ environmental assessment methods?

Answer 6

SKA Rating
BREEAM
DREAM
LEED

Question 7

What does the BREEAM acronym stand for?

Answer 7

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 8

What is BREEAM?

Answer 8

BREEAM is a sustainability rating system used to assess the sustainability of new and operational buildings, covering aspects such as energy use, materials, and waste management. It provides ratings from Unclassified to Outstanding.

Question 9

What is SKA Rating?

Answer 9

SKA Rating is an sustainability rating system developed by the RICS specifically for non-domestic fit-outs. It provides ratings from Bronze to Gold.

Question 10

What types of environmental initiatives are there?

Answer 10

-Waste management
-Recyclable materials
-Water conservation

Question 11

What are Recyclable materials?

Answer 11

Materials such as wood which can be recycled and don’t take a long time to degrade.

Question 12

What are Sustainable materials?

Answer 12

Materials that are not finite. For example, if using timber, more trees could be planted to offset the usage

Question 13

What is Energy Conservation?

Answer 13

It is the practice of using less energy for example by turning lights off or by installing PIR sensors .
Part L of the Building Regulations concerns the conservation of fuel and power.

Question 14

What types of sustainable Energy generation exists?

Answer 14

• Wind
• Solar
• hydroelectric power generation
  All of which replace the use of finite fossil fuels

Question 15

What regulations and legislation govern the construction industries approach to sustainability?

Answer 15

• Part L of the Building Regulations
• Habitats Regulations 2017
• Building Act (1984)

Question 16

What is Part L of Building Regulations?

Answer 16

Part L is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power.
It sets the standards for the energy performance of buildings including their insulation, heating, lighting, ventilation, and use of renewal energy.

Question 17

What is the Building Act (1984)?

Answer 17

It is the primary piece of UK legislation that enables Building Regulations to be enforced.
It assists in the conservation of fuel and power, prevents waste and ensures those in and around buildings are kept safe.

Question 18

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Answer 18

• Social
• Economic and
• Environmental

Question 19

What action do you take in your role to increase/ enhance sustainability? MUTPUM

Answer 19

• Make use of car sharing
• Use energy efficient equipment
• Turn lights off in meeting rooms
• Print only when necessary
• Use of cloud-based storage systems
• Making use of recycling bins correctly

Question 20

How does sustainability impact on your role?

Answer 20

A QS can contribute to sustainable development by integrating sustainability into the
- Cost - through Life Cycle Costing analyses and Value Engineering proposals
- Procurement - by procuring the correct amount of materials to avoid waste and procuring local labour to stimulate local economy

Question 21

What sustainable materials/ technologies are you aware of?

Answer 21

• Hydro turbines - converts energy from water flow into electricity
• Biogas generation - digestion of sewage sludge produces biogas which can be used to generate energy
• Variable Frequency Drivers (VFDs) adjust speed of pumps to match demands reducing energy consumption
• Gravity systems - such as the MEICA bypass arrangement which minimises energy consumption associated with pumping
• Recycled materials such as reclaimed timber
• Rain water harvesting
• PIR sensors

Question 22

What systems are available to measure sustainability in your region?

Answer 22

• SKA Rating
• BREEAM
• DREAM
• LEED

Question 23

What is BREEAM and how could you contribute to this assessment?

Answer 23

• BREEAM is a sustainability rating system used to assess the sustainability of new and operational buildings, covering aspects such as energy use, materials, and waste management. It provides ratings from Unclassified to Outstanding.
• A QS can contribute to this assessment by integrating sustainability into the
• Cost - through Life Cycle Costing analyses and Value Engineering proposals
• Procurement - by procuring the correct amount of materials to avoid waste and procuring local labour to stimulate local economy

Question 24

What are the BREEAM ratings?

Answer 24

• Unclassified
  *Pass
  *Good
  *Very Good
  *Excellent
  *Outstanding

Question 25

What does Social sustainability concern?

Answer 25

Impacts on people and communities

Question 26

What does Economic sustainability concern?

Answer 26

Financial impacts - i.e. being affordable for future generations

Question 27

What does Environmental sustainability concern?

Answer 27

Impacts on the natural environment