Sustainability

Question 1

What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?

Answer 1

• Risk of land degradation
• Risk of water pollution
• Air pollution
• Land contamination
• High energy usage and emissions of co2
• Release of dangerous gases and materials

Question 2

What is the definition of sustainability as defined in the Brundtland Report?

Answer 2

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 3

Tell me about the RICS’ commitment to sustainability?

Answer 3

• Evidence based research
• Guidance, e.g sustainability and commercial property valuation
• RICS Building Carbon database – free to use info on carbon emissions
• RICS offer training on sustainability.

Question 4

What are the current EPC rules?

Answer 4

• EPCS are required for all commercial buildings over 50 sqm
• Required when it is built, sold or let for a term over 6 months or less than 99 years
  An EPC is also required for sub lets or assignment

Question 5

What buildings are exempt from having an EPC?

Answer 5

• Religious buildings
• Listed buildings
• Buildings which have no heating
• Temporary buildings
• Buildings due to be demolished/redeveloped

Question 6

What does an EPC contain?

Answer 6

1. Address of the property and floor area
2. EPC certificate ref no.
3. Estimation of energy running costs
4. The energy performance rating (A-G)
5. Benchmarking information

Question 7

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 7

10 years unless the building is altered

Question 8

Tell me about MEES

Answer 8

MEES is the minimum energy efficiency standards (2015)

• New leases form 1 April 2018 must have a minimum rating of E
• All leases from 1 April 2023 must have a minimum rating of E

Question 9

Tell me about MEES

Answer 9

Part of the Energy Act 2011
MEES is the minimum energy efficiency standards (2015)
-New leases form 1 April 2018 must have a minimum rating of E
-All leases from 1 April 2023 must have a minimum rating of E

Question 10

What is the climate change levey (CCL)

Answer 10

CCL is a tax on energetic delivered to non domestic users in the UK

• Aimed to encourage increase in energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions
• Renewable sources of energy are exempt from the tax

Question 11

What are the UK governments goals to reducing carbon emissions?

Answer 11

In 2019 the Government amended the Climate Change Act to commit the UK to achieving net zero by 2050, compared to the previous target of an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050.

In 2021 the Government announced it will reduce emission by 78% by 2035 compared to the 1990 levels and net zero by 2050.

Question 12

Why is sustainability important?

Answer 12

Sustainability is a huge topic at the moment what with climate change, the need to protect fossil fuels from running out, reducing carbon emissions. It’s a broad topic but important because we need to meet the needs of today but not compromise the needs of the future.

Question 13

How does solar paneling minimise the carbon footprint? How does it increase the life span of a
building?

Answer 13

Because solar paneling produces clean, renewable power from the sun and is an alternative to the use of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas which reduces greenhouse gases

Increases the life span of the building because there is less pressure on the other services

Question 14

What improvements can improve EPC rating?

Answer 14

 Lighting
 Heating
 Air condition
o Light bulbs - LED
o Heating cooling system
o Remove unnecessary services

Question 15

How can an EPC affect value?

Answer 15

• Obsolescence
• Marketability, occupiers become more environmentally responsibly
• Running costs i.e poorly insulated

Question 16

What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

Answer 16

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a mechanism for businesses to assess the impact they have on society and consider putting responsible, ethical policies in place to support individuals, the local community and the environment.

Question 17

What procedures does your firm do to implement promotion of sustainability?

Answer 17

• Recycling
• Energy efficient lighting
• Energy efficient equipment
• Reduce in printing
• Electrical cars

Question 18

What is the paris agreement?

Answer 18

• The Paris agreement is a legally binding international treaty concerning climate change
• It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016
• The goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degree c, targeting levels to 1.5 degree c
• Counties commit to cut their climate pollution
• Monitors countries progress.

Question 19

What do you know about the term carbon neutral?

Answer 19

A balance between the carbon emitted and carbon absorbed.

Question 20

What is BREEAM?

Answer 20

Building research establishment environmental assessment method.

It is voluntary assessment tool

Rates Pass to excellent

Question 21

What is COP26?

Answer 21

Conference of the Parties.
Countries that signed the United Nations Framework
- limit global warming to 1.5%
- limit use of fossil fuels

Question 22

What are the penaliteis for not complying with MEES?

Answer 22

Min £500 max £5,000

Question 23

What is the climate change levy (CIL)

Answer 23

Tax charged on energy to non domestic buildings. Incentive to increase energy efficiency.

Question 24

When marketing whats the timescales of an EPC?

Answer 24

Must be instructed prior to marketing and commissioned within 7 days of marketing

Question 25

Whose responsible for getting the EPC?

Answer 25

Owner or agent

Question 26

What are the penalties of not having an EPC?

Answer 26

2.5% of RV subject to min £500 and max £5,000

Question 27

What is the RICS triple bottom line?

Answer 27

more of a holistic approach to sustainability.
This can be summed up by the triple bottom line
environmental, economic and social sustainability
Encouraging people

Question 28

What is ESG?

Answer 28

Its the environmental, social and corporate governance.

Set of criteria, investors can use it to evaluate companies in which they might want to invest.

Question 29

What new RICS document is there regarding sustainability?

Answer 29

Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice – guidance note 31st Jan 2022
Further commentary added to the global red book on sustainability and esg

Question 30

What does this guidance note say?

Answer 30

Details the stages of valuations (TOE, inspection reporting etc) and how the valuer should have regard to sustainability and ESG) but not go outside their area of expertise, may be suitable to advise the client to seek specialist advice.