Sustainability Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Involves careful resource management and minimising environmental harm
What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
ESG -
Environmental - company’s impact on environment.
Social - how a company interacts with employees, customers & communities.
Governance - company’s leadership and management practices.
What is the RICS’ commitment to sustainability?
- Integrating sustainability into professional standards, set of sustainability guidance, education and training.
- Aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (sustainable cities, climate action, responsible consumption & production).
- Net zero by 2030.
What is the Paris Agreement 2015?
Agreement between UN countries limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while striving to limit it to 1.5°C.
2024 - first year it was over 1.5°C.
What is the Climate Change Act 2008?
UK legislation that legally commits the country to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.
Amended in 2019 to require UK to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050.
Interim target to reduce emissions by 78% by 2030.
What are the MEES 2015?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Leases from:
1st April 2023 – minimum E rating
1st April 2028 – minimum C rating.
1st April 2030 – minimum B rating
What are the penalties for not following MEES 2015?
Less than 3 months, £5k or 10% RV (max £50k)
Over 3 months £10k or 20% RV (max £150k).
Policed by Local Authority.
What are some exemptions from MEES 2015?
Payback period over 7-year payback
5% loss in value
Places of worship
Buildings with less than 6m tenancy don’t need EPCs.
Listed Buildings exempt where “character and appearance” are altered by recommended efficiency measures.
Tenancy is for more than 99 years
What is BREEAM?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method - Provides a framework for measuring, improving, and recognising the environmental performance of buildings throughout their lifecycle.
What are the BREEAM ratings?
Pass
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Outstanding
What are the categories for BREEAM?
Energy
Water
Waste
Transport links
Health & wellbeing
What is an EPC rating?
Energy Performance Certificate - measure of the energy efficiency of a building.
How long is an EPC valid for?
10 years
What are the ratings of an EPC?
A+ - G
What is included in an EPC?
- Address / floor area
- EPC ref number
- Technical info on energy performance
- Estimated running costs
- Energy performance rating
- Benchmarking information
- Recommendations
What is Net Zero?
Where the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted is equal to the amount removed.
When is an EPC required?
All commercial buildings with total useful floor area of 50 sqm +
When is an EPC not required?
Religious buildings
Temporary buildings
Buildings due to be demolished/redeveloped
Residential units that are not occupied more than 4 months a year.
EPC requirements for marketing?
Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of marketing - 28 day limit for procurement.
All online marketing material must have a link to the EPC to show front page.
What are the penalties for not adhering to EPC regs?
Trading Standards enforce
Commercial - Max penalty is equal to 12.5% of RV (Min £500 Max £5,000).
Resi - £200 civil fixed penalty for non-display.
What is the Climate Change Levy?
Tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users - energy from renewable sources is exempt.
Aims to reduce carbon emissions.
What are some other ESG ratings?
LEED - Leadership in Energy and Design - USA.
