Regulations and Legislation

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

Bruntland Report 1992 - sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 2

What is sustainable development?

Answer 2

Development that delivers or embodies sustainability

Question 3

What are the triple bottom line principles?

Answer 3

• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

Question 4

What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?

Answer 4

• Planning system is to contribute to achieving sustainable development
• Achieving sustainable development means three goals: social, economic, environmental
• Presumption in favour of sustainable development applies to plan making and decision taking

Question 5

Can you tell me about any Climate Change Conventions or Protocols you are aware of? What targets did one of these set?

Answer 5

Kyoto Protocol:
* International agreement aimed to manage and reduce CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases
* Protocol adopted 1997 but became law in February 2005
* 192 nations committed to reduce their emissions by 5% by 2012

Question 6

What are the most recent EU / UK targets relating to sustainability?

Answer 6

UK target to reduce carbon emissions by 68% in relation to 1990 levels

Question 7

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 7

• Legally binding international treaty on climate change
• Entered force on 4th November 2016
• Target is to limit temperature increase by 1.5 degrees c

Question 8

What are the 2020 / 2030 / 2050 EU targets?

Answer 8

• 2020 target: developed countries mobilise $100bn of climate finance
• 2030: EU targeting reducing emissions by 55% from 1990 levels
• 2050: aims to be net zero on greenhouse gas emissions

Question 9

Explain your understanding of COP26 / 27?

Answer 9

I am aware that COP27 climate talks in Egypt in 2022 highlighted that the construction indutry accounted for 34% of energy demand and around 37% of enery-related CO2 emissions in 2021

Question 10

What did the UK Climate Change Act 2008 do?

Answer 10

• The Climate Change Act 2008 introduced the UK’s first legally binding taregt for 2050 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% compared to 1990 levels
• Between 1990 and 2017, the UK reduced its emissions by 42% while growing the economy by more than two thirds
• On 27 June 2019 the UK Government amended the Act and set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from across the UK economy by 2050

Question 11

What are carbon budgets?

Answer 11

A carbon budget places a restrition on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a 5-year period. The UK is the first country to set legally binding carbon budgets

Question 12

What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?

Answer 12

• Became law in February 2015
• Provides community rights to purchase stakes in renewable projects

Question 13

What is the renewable heat incentive?

Answer 13

• Government financial incentive to encourag switching to renewable heating systems
• Renewable heating technologies installed on property receive quarterly payments for seven years

Question 14

How can buildings impact upon the environment?

Answer 14

• Embodied carbon in all stages of the building from material manufacture, demolition, disposal
• Embodied carbon can be targeted in new builds as it can be impacted by the design

Question 15

Can you give me an example of a sustainable design feature?

Answer 15

• Double glazing to improve thermal efficiency
• Energy efficiency appliances
• PVs, green roofs
• Electric car charging points

Question 16

Can you give me an example of an environmental assessment method for buildings?

Answer 16

• EPC - Energy Performance Certificate
• Legal requirement for a building, sold, let or constructed
• Ranks homes in terms of their impact on the cost of fuel bills and also the impact on the environment
• Assessed by an accredited assessor