PE Sustainability Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is the most commonly used definition of sustainable development?
Bruntland report - sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What are the key concepts of sustainable development?
Needs - particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overring priority should be given
Limitations - imposed by state of technology and social organisation on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs
What are the triple bottom line principles?
Economic
Social
Environmental
When did the UN introduce the first convention on climate change?
1992
What is the Kyoto Protocol and when was it agreed?
1997 - target for 37 countries to reduce emissions by average 5% below 1990 for period 2008-2012
What did the UK agree to as part of the Kyoto protocol?
12.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Was the Kyoto protocol successful?
Emissions overall reduced by 10% but not enough to offset increasing emissions from other industrialising countries so total global emissions grew
What happened after 2012?
Second Kyoto commitment period 2013-2020 - fewer countries signed up, although UK and EU are
What is the latest agreement on CC?
Paris Agreement 2015
What is the aim of the Paris agreement?
To hold increase in global average temperature to 2c below pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5c
What are the EU’s current climate change targets?
20:20:20 for 2020 targets and larger reductions for 2030, climate-neutral by 2050
What is COP26?
A conference to bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
What UK legislation was enacted as a result of the Paris Agreement?
Climate Change Act 2008
What is the key target of the Climate Change Act?
Originally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, but now the commitment to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050
How will the Climate Change Act be pursued?
Legally binding carbon budgets (cap on greenhouse gases emitted in UK over 5 year period), set as least 12 years in advance to allow for preparation
Did the Infrastructure Act 2015 introduce any climate change initatives?
Committee on Climate Change have a duty to advise UK Government on implications of expoliting onshore petroleum including shale gas to meet UK Carbon budgets
What is the renewable heat incentive and under hat act was it introduced?
Energy Act 2011 - 20 year subsidy paid to non-domestic renewable heat generators
What legislation led to the introduction of EPCs?
EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and UK Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations
When is an EPC required?
When a building is built, sold or rented
What does an EPC include?
Energy Rating (A-G)
Energy Use
Typical energy costs
Recommendations about how to reduce consumption
Can you charge prospective tenants or buyers for a copy of an EPC?
Commercial premises > 500 sq m frequently visited by the public
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
When is an EPC not required?
- Place of worship
- Temporary buildings (< 2 years)
- Stand alone building with total useful floor space <50 sq m
- Industrial sites, work-shops and non-resi agricultural buildings with low energy use
- Some buildings due to be demolished
- Holiday accommodation rented out for less than 4 months per year or let under a licence to occupy
- Listed buildings
- Residential buildings used less than 4 months per year
Where would you source an EPC from that already exists?
Public register
Ask the seller/lessor
