Sustainability '24

Question 1

How is the RICS committing to sustainability?

Answer 1

• Evidence based research
• Implementation into best practice guidance and documentation
• Best practice training
• Certifications e.g RICS SKA rating

Question 2

What is the climate change act?

Answer 2

It set a target for the year 2050 for the reduction of targeted greenhouse gas emissions

• Amended into 2019 for the UK to achieve net carbon zero by 2050
• Target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2030 was set

Question 3

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 3

A legally binding international treaty signed in 2015

Question 4

What is your understanding of the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’?

Answer 4

Introduced in 2020 by the government and involved a 10-point plan to mobilise £12 billion

Targeted at:
- Power generation sector
- Transport infrastructure
- Buildings’ energy efficiency
- Enhancing the natural environment
- Encouraging ‘green’ investments

Question 5

What is Part L of the building regulation?

Answer 5

Part L assesses buildings’ energy efficiency and carbon emissions to reduce the carbon footprint of new and existing buildings.

It sets standards for the energy performance of buildings, including:
- insulation
- heating
- lighting
- ventilation
- use of renewable energy.

Question 6

What is the Better Buildings Partnership?

Answer 6

A number of UK REITs and funds have committed to achieving net zero by 2050 under this pledge

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have set out the framework for actions:

1. Establish net zero scope
2. Reduce construction impacts
3. Reduce operational energy use
4. Increase renewal energy supply
5. Offset carbon

Question 7

What is an EPC?

Answer 7

Energy Performance Certificate

Question 8

When is an EPC required?

Answer 8

• For all commercial buildings over 50 sq. m
• Newly built and sold or let for a term more than 6 months (and less than 99 years)
• There are alterations to a/c, ventilation or heating

Question 9

What are the exemptions for an EPC?

Answer 9

• Listed buildings
• buildings with no heating
• religious buildings
• temporary buildings
• buildings due to be demolished or redeveloped

Question 10

What are the EPC requirements for marketing?

Answer 10

• Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing (28 day limit for procurement)
• Energy rating is required to be displayed
• All online marketing must have a link to the EPC to show the front page

Question 11

What is included on the front page of an EPC?

Answer 11

• Address and floor area
• EPC reference number
• Technical info on energy provision
• Estimation of running costs
• Energy performance rating
• Benchmarking information

Question 12

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 12

10 years unless the building is altered

Question 13

What are the penalties for breaching EPC regulations?

Answer 13

Policed by the local authorities Trading standards teams

Max penalty is 12.5% of the RV (min £500 and max £5,000)

Question 14

What is MEES?

Answer 14

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

• Requirement for properties to have a minimum EPC rating of E to be let from April 1st 2018
• All leases from 1st April 2023

Question 15

When was MEES introduced?

Answer 15

2015

Question 16

What are the MEES exemptions?

Answer 16

• If the building does not require an EPC i.e place of worship
• Industrial units with a low energy demand
• Where the tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure
• Where the tenancy is more than 99 years
• When it is not feasible to improve the EPC rating (payback of 7 years or sooner - 3 quotes must have been obtained)
• When EPC works will devalue by more than 5%
• When consent is refused by a tenant

Exemptions last for 5 years and cannot be transferred on sale

Question 17

What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES?

Answer 17

Policed by the Local Authority

• Where breach is less than 3 months - £5,000 or 10% of the rateable value
• Where breach is longer than 3 months - £10,000 or 20% of the rateable value

Question 18

What are the potential changes to MEES?

Answer 18

MEES threshold to rise to C by 2027 and B by 2030

Question 19

What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme?

Answer 19

An energy assessment scheme that is mandatory for large organisations in the UK (over 250 employees or turnover more than $50m)

Required to:
- Measure total energy consumption
- Conduct energy audits to identify cost effective recommendations
- Report compliance to Environment Agency

Question 20

What is BREEAM?

Answer 20

Building Research Establish Environmental Assessment Method

• Assessment tool used to rate buildings on sustainability
• Rating is based on energy consumption, water use, transport links, waste management and health and wellbeing

Ranks: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding

Question 21

What is WELL?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is NABERS?

Answer 22

National Australian Built Environment Rating System

Question 23

What is the RICS SKA rating?

Answer 23

The RICS environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit out

Measured on:
- Energy
- CO2
- Waste
- Water
- Pollution
- Transport
- Materials
- Wellbeing

Projects can achieve a SKA Bronze, Silver or Gold rating.