Sustainability

Question 1

What does the NPPF say about sustainable development?

Answer 1

That the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development

Question 2

Explain your understanding of COP26

Answer 2

2021 Climate Change Conference
Brought parties together to accelerate action toward the goals of the Paris agreement and the UN framework convention on Climate Change

Question 3

What are carbon budgets?

Answer 3

Restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a 5-year period

Question 4

What did the Infrastructure Act 2015 say about climate change?

Answer 4

Makes provisions for a range of infrastructure projects and strategies across the country

Question 5

How can buildings impact upon the environment?

Answer 5

Poorly designed buildings use more energy, increasing demand on energy production
Construction section is responsible for 40% of energy and process-related carbon emissions.

Question 6

When is an EPC required?

Answer 6

All buildings over 50 sq m – namely at sale, letting, refurb

Question 7

What is a DEC?

Answer 7

Display Energy Certificates – designed to show the energy performance of public buildings

Question 8

When is a DEC required?

Answer 8

If its at least partially occupied by a public authority
Total floor area over 250 sq m
Frequently visited by the public

Question 9

What must accompany a DEC?

Answer 9

Recommendation report

Question 10

How long do DECs last?

Answer 10

10 years if over 250sq m but below 1,000 sq m
1 year if over 1,000 sq m

Question 11

What are the penalties for not having a DEC?

Answer 11

£500 for failing to display visibly to public
£1,000 for failing to have possession of DEC or advisory report

Question 12

What is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Answer 12

Self regulating business model that helps a company be accountable to itself, its stakeholders and the public

Question 13

What Building Regulation relates to energy efficiency?

Answer 13

Part L

Question 14

What is ESOS?

Answer 14

Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme Regulations 2014
Mandatory energy assessment for organisations that meet the criteria
Employed 250 or more people
Annual turnover in excess of 50million euros and balance sheet excess of 43 million euros

Question 15

When was CRC abolished?

Answer 15

Carbon Reduction Commitment – abolished in 2019

Question 16

What replaced CRC?

Answer 16

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
Requires obligated companies to report on their emissions within financial reporting on companies house

Question 17

What is the SECR regime?

Answer 17

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
Requires obligated companies to report on their emissions within financial reporting on companies house

Question 18

When was SECR introduced?

Answer 18

2019

Question 19

What companies does SECR apply to?

Answer 19

Large companies
Turnover over £36m
Balance sheet assets of £18m or more
250 employees or more

Question 20

Who is exempt from SECR?

Answer 20

Large companies that use less than 40,000 kWh of energy

Question 21

What are the penalties for non-compliance of SECR?

Answer 21

Enforced by the Conduct Committee of the Financial Reporting Council
Up to £40k or sometimes prison (in exceptional cases)

Question 22

Difference between ESOS and SECR?

Answer 22

ESOS originated from EU legislation – only requires reporting every 4 years
Proven reductions are not obligated in ESOS

Question 23

What RICS guidance relates to sustainability?

Answer 23

Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice, 3rd edition, 2022 (guidance note)

RICS Environmental risks and global real estate, 1st Edition, 2018 (guidance note)

Question 24

What is the RICS Value the Planet campaign?

Answer 24

Campaign that promotes the preservation of the plant through the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development goals

Question 25

What does the term whole life carbon mean?

Answer 25

Carbon emissions resulting from the materials, construction, and the use of a building over its entire life, including demolition and disposal

Question 26

How does whole life carbon differ from life cycle costs?

Answer 26

Life cycle costing is the total cost of ownership over its life and not specific to carbon emissions

Question 27

What RICS guidance is there on whole life carbon?

Answer 27

RICS whole life carbon assessment for the built environment, 1st Edition, 2017

Question 28

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment and when would one be carried out?

Answer 28

Tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment - Identifies ways to reduce and avoid environmental damage - Prevents adverse environmental impacts

Question 29

Explain your understanding of NABERS

Answer 29

National Australian Built Environment Rating – introduced in the UK - Measure a buildings energy efficiency - Carbon emissions - Water consumed and waste produced - Comparisons to similar buildings

Question 30

Explain a key proposal of the Energy White Paper

Answer 30

Presents a vision of how we make the transition to clean energy by 2050 and what this will mean for us as consumers of energy

Question 31

Explain the key objectives of the Environment Act 2021

Answer 31

New framework for environmental protection, setting statutory targets in 4 areas: Biodiversity Air quality Water Waste reduction

Question 32

What does Approved Document L relate to?

Answer 32

Building regulations – conservation of fuel and power

Question 33

What does Approved Document S relate to?

Answer 33

Building regulations – Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles

Question 34

Why is the Government encouraging the use of electric vehicles?

Answer 34

Target to reach net zero by 2050 – part of that target is no new petrol or diesel cars sold by 2030

Question 35

What is the UN Race to Zero?

Answer 35

UN-backed global campaign to halve emissions by 2030 by rallying non-state actors

Question 36

What is the World GBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment?

Answer 36

World Green Building Council – working toward decarbonisation by 2050

Question 37

What are the Heat Network Regulations

Answer 37

Heat networks are systems in which heating, cooling, or hot water is generated at a central source and supplied to multiple third party customers through pipe networks

Question 38

Explain the work you have done relating to the Heat Network Regulations

Answer 38

Operators of heat networks must submit notifications for the heat networks they operate and where required, install metering devices

Question 39

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

Answer 39

No poverty Zero hunger Clean water Sustainable cities and communities Climate action

Question 40

How many are there (SDGs)?

Answer 40

17

Question 41

What is the target achievement date for SDGs?

Answer 41

2030

Question 42

What is a post-occupancy evaluation?

Answer 42

Process of obtaining feedback on a buildings performance in use after it has been built and occupied

Question 43

What do each of ISO 14001 and 50001 relate to?

Answer 43

International standard for requirements on effective environmental and energy management systems

Question 44

What is net biodiversity gain?

Answer 44

Development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before

Question 45

What opportunities to decarbonise exist in the buildings life cycle?

Answer 45

Renewable energy technologies Energy efficiency improvements

Question 46

Explain a key theme discussed in the RICS and World Built Environment Forum Sustainability Report 2021

Answer 46

Industry is making progress, but not at the required rate Construction sector does not take measurements of carbon emissions over expected project life cycles Requirement for a global standard on carbon measurement

Question 47

How are RICS working towards the SDGs?

Answer 47

By working with UN on identifying the most critical issues facing companies in real estate in relation to the SDGs

Question 48

What is SUDS

Answer 48

Sustainable drainage systems