Sustainability

Question 1

What impact can property have on the environment?

Answer 1

The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of emissions globally

Question 2

What is the RICS doing to improve sustainability?

Answer 2

RICS action agenda:

Building Passport - data platform to host all building related data, from design and planning through to demolition.

RICS Building Carbon Database

Established World Built Environment Forum - to gather experts from the sector and share knowledge

Question 3

Give an example of RICS guidance on sustainability?

Answer 3

Guidance note on ‘Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation’ 2013

Question 4

Any new RICS guidance on Sustainability?

Answer 4

Guide Note: Sustainability and ESG within Commercial Property Valuation.(in consultation)

Question 5

MODUS Article on What the RICS is doing with regards to COP26?

Answer 5

Going to hold some summits after COP26 to keep the movement going.

Launching an essay competition for young professionals to send in ideas and creative solutions to meet net zero targets.

Question 6

COP26 News

Answer 6

Now in its second and final week.

UK Pledges £290m to help poorer nations.

Lithium batteries could help climate change - electric cars, but could be used to power other things.

Question 7

What is Savills policy on sustainability?

Answer 7

Sustainable development goals have provided a framework for Savills Sustainability Strategy.

9 SDGs chosen:

1. Good health and wellbeing
2. Gender Equality
3. Quality education
4. Climate action

Signed up to the World Green Building Council’s target, have to achieve net zero by 2030.

1. Committed to occupying assets which are net zero by 2030
2. Improve energy consumption

Question 8

What is the UK’s global emissions aim?

Answer 8

Under Climate Change Act 2008, was to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050.

In 2019, amended it to be net zero by 2050.

Question 9

What is the UK doing to help combat sustainability?

Answer 9

Net Zero by 2025

Reduce GHG emissions by 68%

Government 10 point plan, create 10k jobs

1. Greener buildings (Green Homes Grant)
2. power generation sector
3. Greener transport

Question 10

Tell me about the UK Green Building Council Framework?

Answer 10

Reduce construction impacts

Reduce operational energy use

Increase renewable energy supply on and off site.

Offset any remaining carbon using a recognised offsetting framework

Question 11

What is an EPC?

Answer 11

EPC address the energy efficiency of a building.

Question 12

Are there any exemptions for EPCs?

Answer 12

a. Commercial buildings under 50 sqm
b. Listed buildings
c. Buildings which have no heating
d. Religious buildings
e. Buildings due to be demolished

Question 13

EPC and marketing rules?

Answer 13

Must have an EPC within 7 days of marketing

Must state the EPC rating, if possible include the chart

Online marketing must have a link to the EPC, to see the front page.

Valid for 10 years unless work has been done to the building then a new one will

Question 14

What is MEES?

Answer 14

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Question 15

When does MEES apply?

Answer 15

As of April 2018 all residential and commercial new leases above E

As of April 2020 all new and existing residential leases

As of April 2023 all new and existing commercial leases

Question 16

Are there any exemptions for MEES?

Answer 16

If it is exempt from an EPC

No feasible way of improving the EPC rating, even when all payback of 7 years have been done. 3 quotes from relevant works needed.

When improvements would reduce the value of a property

Question 17

What are the penalties for noncompliance with MEES?

Answer 17

Commercial
>3 months = £5k or 10% RV
<3 months = £10k or 20% RV

Residential
>3 months = £2,000
<3 months = £4,000

Question 18

What are the fines for not complying with marketing regulations?

Answer 18

Policed by Local Authorities Trading Standards
Residential £200
Commercial 12.5% of the RV

Question 19

Why are they changing Part L and Part F?

Answer 19

Part of the UK government’s plan to become net zero by 2050

Part of the Future Homes Standard 2019 consultation, which is due for full implementation in 2025

Changed will be enacted from June 2022

Question 20

What are building regs part L?

Answer 20

Conservation of Fuel and Power

Question 21

What are building regs Part F?

Answer 21

Ventilation

Question 22

What are the changes to Part L and F?

Answer 22

Part L and F closely linked, as if homes become over heated, then that will make the air uncomfortable to breath. So they go hand in hand.

Part F will need to change to ensure the right level of ventilation is supplied to ensure good indoor air quality and user comfort.

Preferred option is to reduce by 31% by 2022 and then 75-80% by 2025.

Question 23

What is COP26?

Answer 23

Conference of the Parties

This will be the 26th annual summit

UK is working with every nation to reach an agreement on how to tackle climate change

World leaders will go to Glasgow.

Question 24

How will the changes from COP26 impact the real estate industry?

Answer 24

Potentially introduce further measures and legislation to combat issues.

Question 25

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 25

Occurred at COP21 in Paris in 2015 Every country agreed to work together to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees and aim for 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial times. Countries are committed to bring forward national plans setting out how much they would reduce their emissions.

Question 26

What other standards are there other than MEES and EPC ratings to determine a building sustainability?

Answer 26

Accreditation schemes such as BREEAM and WELL.

Question 27

How will net zero carbon objectives affect real estate?

Answer 27

Will mean property companies will need to take measures to reduce their carbon emissions and potentially invest in renewable-energy projects to help offset their emissions.

Question 28

What is net carbon?

Answer 28

Means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a level which is on balance with the emissions removed.

Question 29

How is an EPC calculated?

Answer 29

Assessor looks at property and scores a variety of factors based on condition and potential for heat loss

Question 30

What does an EPC contain?

Answer 30

Address and floor area Reference number Property energy provision Running cost estimation Performance rating Benchmarking

Question 31

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 31

10 years

Question 32

Tell me about some potential changes to the MEES?

Answer 32

Minimum threshold of EPC could go to C in 2027, and B in 2030 Can only advertise/let properties compliant with MEES

Question 33

Tell me about the Climate Change Levy (CCL)?

Answer 33

Tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users Incentive to increase efficiency

Question 34

What is BREEAM?

Answer 34

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 35

Tell me about BREEAM?

Answer 35

Voluntary Rates new and refurbished buildings 9 environmental weightings Ratings - Pass/Good/Very Good/ Excellent/ Outstanding

Question 36

What's ESG?

Answer 36

Environmental, Social Governance Is the action and measurable outcome i.e. carbon reduction / volunteering

Question 37

What is CRS?

Answer 37

Corporate Social Responsibility Mapping out ESG and creating targets for it.

Question 38

How does sustainability relate to real estate?

Answer 38

The built environment is one of the main contributors to GHG emissions. Huge emphasis on reducing carbon emissions. But also on creating buildings which provide better health and wellbeing.