Sustainability Flashcards
(48 cards)
What is Net Zero?
The balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) that’s produced and the amount that’s removed from the atmosphere
What is your firm doing to improve sustainability?
-Committing to achieve net zero by 2027
-Committed to improving wellbeing of staff and greater diversity
-Light sensors throughout offices to ensure efficient use of electricity.
- Waste management strategies (food waste bins)
- No single use plastic available to purchase.
- Water conservation measures
What is sustainability?
The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
i.e meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What is the Paris Agreement 2015?
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. Its goal is limit global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels
What is the UK Climate Change Act 2008?
Net Carbon Zero by 2050
What is MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, 2015 required a minimum EPC rating of Level E to let a building from 1st April 2018
-New Leases from 1 April 2018
-All existing leases from 1 April 2023 for commercial properties.
-1 April 2020 for residential
Are there any exemptions from MEES?
*Industrial premises with low energy demand
*Listed buildings
*Places of worship
*Tenancy less than 6 months
*Tenancy longer than 99 years
What are the penalties for MEES non-compliance?
Commercial:
*Less than 3 months – up to £5,000 or 10% of RV
*More than 3 months – up to £10,000 or 20% of RV
Residential:
*Less than 3 months - £2,000
*More than 3 months - £4,000
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate – certification of a buildings energy efficiency
What buildings require an EPC?
*Commercial buildings over 50 sq m
*Newly built, sold or let for a term more than 6 months
What is included in an EPC?
Address of property
Size of property
EPC Assessor Name
EPC rating A - G
Estimation of energy running costs
What is a DEC?
Display energy Certificates
Display actual energy used and carbon dioxide emissions (operational energy).
When is a DEC required?
Required for public authority buildings over 250 sq m
What must accompany a DEC?
The operational rating (energy used) and the asset rating.
What are the penalties for not having a DEC?
- £500 for not displaying
- £1,000 for not having one
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What is BREEAM and how is it measured?
- Voluntary
- Reference to 9 environmental weightings (water use, energy consumption, transport links)
- Five BREEAM ratings (Pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding)
What is a green lease?
*Leases where the landlord and tenant share information regarding the energy use
*Rated light to dark green
How many UN SDGs are there?
17 goals. Good health, no poverty, zero hunger, gender equality.
What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Blueprint to achieve a better, fair, and more sustainable future for all.
Target achievement date for SDGs?
2030
What is net biodiversity gain?
Net biodiversity gain is the management of land / development that aims to put natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. Encourages developers to provide better natural habitats upon completion.
What is social value?
Social values are personal goals and quantification placed on what is important to people. Its how people relate to society. For example, freedom, commitment.
