Sustainability

Question 1

What sustainability scheme could you recommend to a client?

Answer 1

• BREEAM.
• Passivhaus.
  [- LEED.]

Question 2

What is BREEAM?

Answer 2

Sustainability criteria used to grade buildings to assess and improve their sustainability.

Question 3

What buildings is BREEAM used for?

Answer 3

Virtually all building types (not car parks, bridges etc).

Question 4

What is the recent RICS statement on sustainability?

Answer 4

• Decarbonisation required to meet 2050 target.
• Lack of commitment to green building practices.
• Surveyors sould promote sustainable practices.
  [- Need to adopt biodiversity practices.]

Question 5

How would you define sustainability?

Answer 5

Meeting the needs of the present, without sacrificing the needs of future generations.

Question 6

What does BREEAM stand for?

Answer 6

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

Question 7

What are the ratings under BREEAM?

Answer 7

• Outstanding.
• Excellent.
• Very good.
• Good.
• Pass.
• Unclassified.

Question 8

What are green leases?

Answer 8

Leases that include provisions to promote sustainability when occupying the property.

Question 9

What are the key principles of sustainability?

Answer 9

• Environmental [resource efficiency, reduce emissions]
• Social.
• Economic.
  [The three pillars]

Question 10

What is embodied carbon and how does it relate to your role?

Answer 10

• Amount of CO₂ produced when making materials [manufacturing, transporting materials etc].
  [Concret and steel are high, timber is low]
• Specifiy timber over concrete.
• Use local suppliers.

Question 11

What are the latest updates to AD L and when were they updated?

Answer 11

• Split into 2 volumes (dwellings and buildings other than dwellings) [previously four parts].
• Stricter energy efficiency standards.