Sustainability L1 Flashcards
WHAT IS COP26 AND WHAT DOES COP STAND FOR?
COP is the Conference of the Parties, attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
The 2024 meeting was held in Azerbaijan, COP29 (29th meeting).
WHAT HAPPENED AT COP26?
A newly established Glasgow Financial Alliance, totalling $130 trillion, of private capital announced to accelerate the Net-Zero carbon economy.
The private sector is now under scrutiny on ensuring net-zero commitments are robust and legitimate.
Requirement for all UK companies to produce net-zero transition plans by 2023.
WHAT HAPPENED AT COP28 in Dubai?
Developed countries are to move away from fossil fuels, however, doesn’t compel countries to do so and has no timescale specified.
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERM SUSTAINABILITY?
To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Key principles set out in Brundtland Commission Report, published 1987, identifying the need for sustainable development based on environmental protection, economic growth and social equity.
Environmental preservation assisted by our development of new technologies.
CAN YOU NAME SOME TECHNOLOGIES REDUCING DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT?
Smart lighting
Photovoltaic panels
Wind farms
BMS systems which monitor energy usage and waste, to indicate where improvements are required
WHAT ARE THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY?
Social - Building healthy communities with healthy numbers and range of buildings.
Economical - Build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring sufficient land and right types.
Environmental - Protecting our natural, built and historical environment.
WHAT ARE THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING AROUND SUSTAINABILITY?
- Proactive and creative processes used to achieve sustainable development
- Develop high quality built assets which compliment the surrounding area
- Support a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy
- Conserve & enhance natural environment and reduce pollution
- Encourage brownfield site construction
- Conserve heritage
- Maximise use of public transport, cycling, walking
- Support health, culture & well-being
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES EXPERIENCED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES?
- Water, air & noise pollution
- High energy consumption and carbon emissions
- Risk of land contamination and destruction of habitats
- High wastage to landfill sites
- Release of dangerous gases and chemicals
WHAT ARE THE KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT AFFECT SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION?
Agricultural Land Act - Enables land to be acquired for a particular purpose, i.e. to control pets / weeds, for use as woodlands or support agricultural activities.
Building Act - The primary piece of UK legislation, enabling Building Regulations to be enforced. This assists in the conservation of fuel and power, preventing waste, misuse or contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are safe.
Clean Air Act - Legislation allowing local authorities within England to introduce measures to control air pollution.
Climate Change Act - Legally binding framework to tackle climate change, aiming to reduce greenhouse emissions compared with 1990 levels 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
WHAT ARE THE KEY BUILDING REGULATIONS THAT RELATE TO SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION?
Building Regulation Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
Energy Performance of Building Regulations:
- Requires EPC’s are produced for dwelling and non-dwellings
- Quantifies energy efficiency of buildings
- Required when building are built, sold or rented
- Commercial buildings over 500 sqm. and frequented by the public are to display a DEC (Display Energy Certificate) based on actual energy used.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF TAX RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY?
Landfill Tax - An environmental tax payable in addition to landfill rates charged by private disposal companies.
The tax was introduced to encourage alternative means of disposal, i.e. recycling, charged by weight at varying weights dependent on whether the waste is inert or active.
(Inert waste is construction / demolition waste, active waste is biodegradable)
WHAT IS BREEAM?
Life Cycle Assessment
BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation.
Assessment undertaken by a licensed assessor based on energy, land, ecology, water, health & wellbeing, materials and waste management.
BREEAM applies to new and refurbishment projects, domestic and non-domestic, rated as:
- Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Pass, Unclassified
WHAT ARE SKA RATINGS?
A RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fitouts, i.e. office refurbs.
The scheme assesses against a set of good practice Sustainability criteria, known as GPM (Good Practice Measures)
SKA is an cheaper alternative to BREEAM
WHAT ARE LEED RATINGS?
American equivalent of BREEAM, a life cycle assessment with ratings applied.
Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Ratings are LEED Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum.
Includes review of embodied aspects of carbon emissions as well as life cycle assessment during construction and operation.
WHAT DOES YOUR FIRM IMPLEMENT TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY?
- Recycling of paper, cardboard, plastics.
- Use of energy efficient lighting & equipment (motion sensors, LED, energy efficient monitors)
- Company cars to be EV
- Cycle to work scheme
- Reduced printing by providing a shared network
- Charitable contributions and volunteer days (tree planting)
- Green initiatives (Office space with high EPC / BREEAM ratings)
