Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What are some relevant Sustainability legislation?

A
  1. Climate Change Act 2008, amended in 2019 - cut carbon emissions by 80% of the 1990 levels, amended to net zero by 2050.
  2. Environment Act 2021 - all new developments must increase the biodiversity of the site by a minimum of 10%
  3. Climate Change Levy 2019 - tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users (incl. agriculture), renewable energy sources are exempt.
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2
Q

What is the surveyors best practice requirements of sustainable?

A

Environmental clauses in leases, being transparent in occupational use

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3
Q

What is a surveyors role regarding sustainability?

A
  • Energy use in builidngs
  • MEES and EPCs
  • Advice on how net-zero affects the market
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4
Q

When is an EPC required?

A

In renting out a property, an EPC must be at least an E or have a valid exemption. In a sale, EPC’s must be provided unless listed, place of worship, buildings due to be demolished and agricultural buildings.

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5
Q

MEES?

A

Currently E from 2018, from 2023 all buildings had to be back dated, C by 2027 and B 2030

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6
Q

What does an EPC contain?

A

EPC reference number, address, square meterage, technical information, benchmarking information, expiration date.

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7
Q

How long is an EPC valid for?

A

10 years

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8
Q

What are EPC requirements for marketing?

A

EPC’s must be provided unless listed, place of worship, buildings due to be demolished and agricultural buildings.

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9
Q

What is the RICS commitment to sustainability?

A
  • Help decarbonise the environemnt
  • Build climate resilience
  • Promote/protect biodiversity
  • Imbed circular economy principles - preserving what we already have, recyling and reusing.
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10
Q

What is Net-Zero?

A

Reducing carbon emsisions to the point of balance, removing from the atmosphere that which we input

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11
Q

What is the Whole Life Carbon Assessment?

A

How much carbon a builidng will release in its lifecycle

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12
Q

What is the UK Target?

A

To be net-zero by 2050, 78% by 2030

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13
Q

What are the key provisions of an EPC?

A
  • High standards of energy consumption
  • Provide minimum requirements
  • Provide energy certification
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14
Q

What is the WELL building standard?

A

a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.

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15
Q

What are some energy efficient construction techniques?

A
  • Green roofs, solar roofs, insulation (hemp)
  • Off site manufacture (Triple Bottom Line; saves on waste and number of deliveries, better for health, higher safety and welfare standards, efficient and engineered, providing quality and financial viability)
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16
Q

Energy Saving Regulations

A

Large corporations can measure their energy output and provide reviews

17
Q

Who is responsible for obtaining the EPC in a) marketing and b) renting?

A

a) The agent, £200 fine for failing to so do, per ad
b) The Landlord, policied by Local Authority, fines up to £5000

18
Q

What percentage of global annual emmissions are produced by the built environment?

A

30%

19
Q

How is the RICS helping to intriduce sustainability in practice?

A
  • implementing different regulations and standards
  • evidence based research
  • best practice standards and training
  • MPS and EPC
20
Q

What legally binding commitments has the UK government made on carbon emissions, and how was this amended in 2019?

A
  • legally binding commitments to cut carbon emsisions by 80% of the 1990 levels
  • amended in 2019 to net sero by 2050
21
Q

What is COP?

A

Conference of the Parties - main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- COP28 is due to take place at the end of November

22
Q

What were the key takeaways from COP27?

A
  • establishing a dedicated fund for loss and damage (flooding etc)
  • Maintain a clear intention to keep 1.5 degrees within reach
  • holding businesses and institutions to account
  • mobilising more financial support for developing countries
  • making the pivot toward implementation
23
Q

What are some Energy Saving Opportunities/Schemes?

A
  • Energy assessment scheme is mandatory for large organisations (large = 250 employees AND turnover of more than £250mil AND balance sheet of £43mil) in the UK. Required to measure total energy consumption across the buildings and industrial activities. Conduct energy audits to identify recommendations, report compliance to EA
  • Heat Network Regulations - provide meter readings and billing consumers for their consumption
  • CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, replaced by Climate Change Levy in 2019
  • Climate Change Levy is a tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users (incl. agricultural), energy from renewable sources are exempt
24
Q

What is BNG?

A
  • Contributing to the recovery of nature, making sure that the habitat is in a better state than before
  • Environment Act 2021- all new developments must increase the biodiversity of the site by a minimum of 10%
25
Q

What is BREEAM?

A
  • Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is used to masterplan projects, infrastructure and buildings.
  • Sets standards for the environmental performance of buildings through the design, specification, construction and operation phases and can be applied to new developments or refurbishment schemes