Sustainabiltiy

Question 1

What does BREEAM stand for ?

Answer 1

Building Research Environmental Assessment Method

Question 2

BREEAM covers 10 categories what is this?

Answer 2

1. Energy
2. Health & Well Being
3. Innovation
4. Land Use
5. Materials
6. Management
7. Pollution
8. Transport
9. Waste
10. Water

Question 3

What are the scores under BREEAM

Answer 3

Pass
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Outstanding

Question 4

What is WELL

Answer 4

WELL is 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.

Question 5

Who assesses Well?

Answer 5

International Well Building Institute

Question 6

What are the WELL levels?

Answer 6

Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 7

Smart score - what is this?

Answer 7

The global standard for smart buildings, SmartScore certification helps landlords and developers build cutting-edge smart buildings that deliver exceptional user experiences, drive cost efficiency, meet high standards of sustainability, and are fully future-ready.

Question 8

Smart Score who is this monitored by?

Answer 8

Monitored by wired score and the levels are

Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 9

How long does a BREEAM cert last for?

Answer 9

This depends on the certificate achieved.

Construction Breeam - 3yrs
In use - 1 yr
Refurbishment and fitout - valid for the design and construction

Question 10

What are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard 2015?

Answer 10

These require a minimum EPC rating of level E to let a building from April 2018.

Question 11

What are the MEES exemptions?

Answer 11

• If a building is a place of worship and therefore does not require an EPC
• Where the EPC improvement is not possible with a payback period of over 7 years.
• When it can be proven the improvements would devalue the property by more than 5%

Question 12

Who regulates EPCs?

Answer 12

Local Authorites and breaches can be a fine or a percentage of the rental value depending on the timescale of the breach.

Question 13

Proposed changes to the MEES regs?

Answer 13

1. Minimum EPC of an C for commercial buildings by 2027
2. Minimum EPC of a B by 2030

Question 14

Can you name another environmental accreditation a tenant might target?

Answer 14

SKA - RICS rating for office fit outs to measure the sustainability (gold, silver, bronze rating).

NABERS - NABERS is a national rating system that measures the environmental performance of Australian buildings and tenancies. Put simply, NABERS measures the energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and indoor environment quality of a building or tenancy and its impact on the environment.

Question 15

What is net zero carbon?

Answer 15

This is the UK’s goal by 2050 as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008. Put simply, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance. Extracting more carbon than is omitted.

Question 16

What is an EPC?

Answer 16

Energy performance certificate

Question 17

When is an EPC required?

Answer 17

• When built or refurbished.
• When a building is sold or leased

Question 18

What is shown on an EPC?

Answer 18

1. Address and floor area
2. EPC cert reference number
3. Technical information on the property’s energy provision
4. Estimation of running costs
5. An energy performance rating A-G

Question 19

What are the RICS UN Sustainable Development goals

Answer 19

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a model for addressing the most important economic, social and environmental challenges of our time.

17 goals including:
1. Good health & wellbeing
2. Gender Equality
3. Decent work and economic growth
4. Reduced inequities
5. Sustainable communities and cities
6. Responsible consumption and production