UK Gov. Proposals

Question 1

Explain a key proposal of the Energy White Paper.

Answer 1

Net zero emissions by 2050

Question 2

What changes are likely to be made to MEES under the Energy White Paper?

Answer 2

• As part of the government’s target to reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050, in April 2023 the property sector will be hit by the next stage of the rules on EPCs and MEES regulations
• From April 2023, the prohibition on letting a commercial proerty with an EPC rating below an E will apply to continuing / existing leases as well as new leases

Question 3

Explain the proposed changes under current Government consultation to MEES for non-domestic properties?

Answer 3

In 2022, the government launched a consultation proposing that the minimum EPC standard would increase incrementally, proposing that commercial properties must have an EPC rating of C or higher by 1 April 2027, rising to B or higher by 2030

Question 4

Explain how EPC reporting on the Government website has changed.

Answer 4

EPCs are now virtual - they are displayed in a webpage format instead of a PDF document

Question 5

Explain the proposals under the Government’s Net Zero Strategy and Heat & Buildings Strategy.

Answer 5

Net Zero Strategy (Build Back Greener):
* Power - delivering a decarbonised power system by 2035
* Heat and buildings - decarbonising the way we heat and power our buildings
* Transport - setting the pace for greener, better transport
* Natural resources, waste & F-gases - harnessing nature for net zero
* Greenhouse gas removals - balancing residual emissions to achieve net zero
Heat & Buildings Strategy:
* Green recovery - setting out the importance, urgency and scale of opportunity for buildings decarbonisation to drive green recovery
* Jobs - investing in the green recovery can support up to 240,000 low-carbon buildings-related jobs by 2035
* Skills - creating the low-carbon workforce we need will require investment in skills
* Levelling up - improving our homes and buildings comes with huge benefits to quality of life and economic activity
* Helping shape a ‘Green Global Britiain’ - as a world leader in low-carbon technology

Question 6

What is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme and what will it fund?

Answer 6

• The ECO scheme supports energy efficiency measures in the home of those considered to be in fuel poverty
• It works by placing a Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) on medium and large energy suppliers

Question 7

Explain a key theme discussed in the RICS and World Built Environment Forum Sustainability Report 2021.

Answer 7

Change in occupier demand for green / sustainable buildings in the last 12 months:
* Globally, around three fifths of respondents report that occupier demand for green / sustainable buildings has grown over the past 12 months. Around 47% detect a modest rise, while 10% note a significant pick-up
* Globally, around half of respondents believe that green / sustainable buildings achieve a rent and a price premium over comparable non-green / sustainable buildings

Question 8

What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

Answer 8

The SEG is a support mechanism designed to ensure small-scale generators are paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It has been in place since 1 January 2020

Question 9

What is the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)?

Answer 9

The SFDR is a European regulation introduced to improve transparency in the market for sustainable investment products, to prevent greenwashing and to increase transparency around sustainability claims made by fiancial market participants

Question 10

What are the Taxonomy Regulations?

Answer 10

• Published in the Official Journal of the EU on 22 June 2020 and entered into force on 12 July 2020
• It establishes the basis for the EU taxonomy by setting out 4 overarching conditions that an economic activity has to meet in order to qualify as environmentally sustainable

Question 11

Explain your understanding of the B Corp certification.

Answer 11

A private certification of for-profit companies of their “social and environmental performance”

Question 12

What is BOPAS?

Answer 12

An independent Third Party Accreditation of MMC Providers, providing assurance to Lenders, Developers and Homeowners as to the integrity and durability of properties accredited under the scheme

Question 13

What is CEEQAL?

Answer 13

The international evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme

Question 14

What changes is the Government making to the use of rebated diesel and biofuels?

Answer 14

• Rebated diesel is entitled to a rebate of 46.81ppl, giving it an effective duty rate of 11.14ppl
• The changes will also extend fuel duty to biodiesel, bioblends and fuel substitutes used for heating, applying the rebated duty rate to non-commercial heating and the full rate of duty to commercial heating

Question 15

How will the changes that the Government is making to the use of rebated diesel and biofuels affect the construction industry?

Answer 15

This means construction sites will have to use the more expensive white diesel, or find alternative ways of generating power and fuelling site vehicles

Question 16

Explain the key objectives of the Environment Act 2021.

Answer 16

The Act offers new powers to set new binding targets, including for air quality, water, biodiversity and waste reduction

Question 17

What is the role of the Office for Environmental Protection?

Answer 17

Helps to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account.

Question 18

What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions?

Answer 18

1 Covers the Greenhouse Gas emissions that a company makes directly - for example while running its boilers and vehicles
2 These are the emissions it makes indirectly - like when the electricity or energy it buys for heating or cooling buildings, is being produced on its behalf
3 In this category go all the emissions associated, not with the company itself, but that the organisation is indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain. For example, from buying products from its suppliers, and from its products when consumers use them

Question 19

What does Approved Document L relate to?

Answer 19

Approved Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Power): Building regulation in England setting standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings

Question 20

What recent changes to the Building Regulations have been made to work towards the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025?

Answer 20

Among the requirements, there will be a stipulation that new homes must be “zero carbon ready”. CO2 emissions will be 75-80% lower than those built to current standards

Question 21

What does Approved Document S relate to?

Answer 21

Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles

Question 22

Why is the Government encouraging the use of electric vehicles?

Answer 22

• Cleaner environment
• Carbon reduction and climate change
• Reduced air pollution
• Reduced noise pollution
• Help reach UK net zero target: reduce greenhouse gases by 100% from 1990 to 2050

Question 23

What is the UN Race to Zero?

Answer 23

UN-backed global campaign to take rigorous and immediate action to halve emissons by 2030

Question 24

What is the World GBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment?

Answer 24

The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment is developed to recognise and promote advanced climate leadership action from businesses, organisations, cities and subnational governments in decarbonising the built environment, to inspire others to take similar action and remove barriers to implementation

Question 25

Explain the Berkeley Group Our Vision 2030 and how you work towards this.

Answer 25

Berkeley’s targets:
* Low carbon homes: Reduce in-use carbon emissions of our homes by 40% between 2019-2030
* Low carbon operations: reduce emissions across our direct operations by 50% bewteen 2019-2030
* Embodied carbon: reduce the carbon impact of the materials and services we use by 40% between 2019-2030

How I work towards these (BBB Proposals):
* ASHP Energy Strategy
* Double glazing
* PVs and green roofs
* BNG including offsite compensation (remediation)
* Encouraging sustainable modes of transport - cycle parking, wider cycle and pedestrian connections
* Discouraging use of car
* Electric car charging points for disabled parking