Sustainability

Question 1

Three factors of sustainability?

Answer 1

Social
Environmental
Economic

Question 2

What did you learn from the CPD sustainability sessions?

Answer 2

Sustainable material choices and recycling scheme we can use when removing old carpet tiles

Question 3

What is BREEAM?

Answer 3

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Question 4

What are the BREEAM rankings?

Answer 4

Pass, good, very good, excellent, outstanding

Question 5

What are some of the factors considered in a BREEAM assessment?

Answer 5

Energy consumption, water use, transport, waste management, health & well being

Question 6

What are Bruntwood’s sustainability targets?

Answer 6

*From 2025, all common areas in our buildings will use electricity generated from truly renewable sources.
*By 2030, all electricity in our buildings will be generated from renewable sources and all major redevelopments will be net zero in construction and operation (common areas).
*Net zero carbon business by 2050.

Question 7

What are some of the key RICS documents on Sustainability?

Answer 7

RICS Sustainability and ESG Guidance note 2021
RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment 2023

Question 8

What does the RICS Sustainability and ESG Guidance note 2021 cover?

Answer 8

*Sets out the expectations for all RICS members to consider sustainability and ESG factors in their professional work.
*It outlines key responsibilities, including materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, and integration into valuation, development, and investment decisions.

Question 9

What does the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment 2023 cover?

Answer 9

Methodology to assess carbon impacts across a buildings lifecycle
Supports net zero carbon strategies

Question 10

What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are implemented by RICS?

Answer 10

*Sustainability report outlining latest data and recommendations
*International Building Operation Standard tool
*Participated in the COP29 2024 united nations climate change conference

Question 11

Why have we got a new red book?

Answer 11

*New set of valuation standards as needed to reflect sustainability more
*VPS2 highlights need to gather info on sustainability and ESG, not just EPC
*VPS3 highlights need to reference sustainability and ESG in valuation reports

Question 12

What usually makes the most impact in the energy sustainability of a building?

Answer 12

Insulation

Question 13

What part of the building could you insulate and how?

Answer 13

Roof and walls with insulation boards
Floors with insulation foam
Windows with secondary glazing

Question 14

How can energy efficiency and carbon reduction be improved throughout a building’s lifecycle?

Answer 14

1. Design stage - building materials, sustainability frameworks (BREEAM), efficient systems eg LED lighting
2. Construction - efficient construction methods, waste management minimising construction waste, local sourced materials
3. In use Stage - smart buildings systems, renewable energy, encourage energy efficient user behaviour
4. Refurbishment - retrofitting insulation and windows, replace old heating systems, green roof/walls, reuse existing structure

Question 15

What actions are set out in the UK Green Building Council framework?

Answer 15

1. Establish Net Zero Carbon Scope
2. Reduce Construction Impacts
3. Reduce Operational Energy Use
4. Increase Renewable Energy Supply
5. Offset Any remaining carbon

Question 16

When is an EPC required?

Answer 16

When a property is for sale, to let, newly built or changes have been made

Question 17

What does a landlord or owner have to have in place before letting a space?

Answer 17

An EPC

Question 18

When don’t you need an EPC?

Answer 18

Listed
Religious
Building with no heating
Temporary buildings
Under 50sqm
Not occupied for more than 4 months of the year

Question 19

What’s included on an EPC certificate?

Answer 19

Address
Rating from A to G
EPC Certificate reference number
Benchmarking Info
Floorspace

Question 20

What are the EPC requirements for marketing?

Answer 20

Commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing - agents responsible, energy rating to be displayed, online must link to EPC

Question 21

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 21

10 years unless the building is altered

Question 22

What are the penalties for not displaying EPC info?

Answer 22

Resi - £200 fixed charge
Commercial - 12.5% of the rateable value of the building (min £500, max £5k)

Question 23

What’s the MEES requirements?

Answer 23

*Minimum EPC rating E, from 2018 new leases and April 2023 all existing leases
*Government expected to increase this to a C by 2020 potentially

Question 24

What are some exemptions of MEES?

Answer 24

*EPC not needed
*Industrial unit or workshop
*Tenancy is less than 6 months
*Not feasible to improve the EPC rating
*Consent from tenant, landlord or planning authority is refused
*When it can be proven that the improvements would devalue a property by 5%
*Exemptions last for 5 years and cannot be transferred on sale

Question 25

What are some penalties for not complying with MEES?

Answer 25

Commercial less than 3 months £5k or 10% RV, max £50k More than 3 months £10k or 20% RV, max 150k Residential Less than 3 months - £2k More than 3 months - £4k

Question 26

How might EPC regulations and MEES impact property values/landlord’s and/or investors strategies?

Answer 26

Values: - Lower EPC = Lower value - Marketability - buyers/tenants increasing factoring in ESG Landlords: - Upgrade pressures - Invest in improving - Void risk - Stranded assets Investor Strategies: - EPC due diligence as part of acquisition - Exit planning - properties with low EPC could reduce interest - ESG mandates - some investors require energy efficiency/reduction as part of their real estate portfolio

Question 27

What are some other key energy regulations?

Answer 27

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Climate Change Levy Display Energy Certificates UK Green Building Council Biodiversity Net Gain

Question 28

What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme?

Answer 28

Mandatory for large UK organisations More than 250 employees, turnover more than 50m euros They are required to measure energy consumption, conduct energy audits to identify energy saving opps and report compliance to the environment agency

Question 29

What is the Climate Change Levy?

Answer 29

environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use. It’s designed to encourage businesses to be more energy efficient in how they operate, as well as helping to reduce their overall emissions.

Question 30

What are Display Energy Certificates? (DECs)

Answer 30

They are required for public buildings over 250sqm, they display actual energy used and carbon dioxide emissions

Question 31

What is the UK Green Building Council? (UKGBC)

Answer 31

A United Kingdom membership organisation, formed in 2007, which aims to 'radically transform' the way that the built environment in the UK is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.

Question 32

What is the UK Green Building Council Framework?

Answer 32

Framework looks to address: establishing net zero carbon scope reduce construction impacts reduce operational energy usage Increase renewable energy supply on site and off site Offset any remaining carbon

Question 33

What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Answer 33

From Feb 2024 compulsory for all new developments to provide at least 10% BNG for at least 30 years, on or off site measures Statutory metric used to calculate BNG

Question 34

What is the WELL Building Standard?

Answer 34

This is a standard for buildings to be rated in respect of spaces that can optimise the health and mental wellbeing of occupiers

Question 35

What is net zero?

Answer 35

Carbon neutrality is where the carbon emissions reduced are balanced with those being taken out of the atmosphere