Sustainability Flashcards

Question

Give me some examples of things that can be done to create BNG?

Answer 1

1) Create habitats by planting trees, shrubs, wildflower meadows, building ponds or wetlands 2) Restoring existing habitats e.g. removing invasive species, restoring rivers or ponds 3) Green infrastructure e.g. green roofs or green walls

Answer 2

Green roofs = roofs that are partially or completely covered with vegetation Green walls = vertical structures with plants growing on them

Answer 3

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Avoluntary assessment tool to rate commercial buildings – 5 ratings: 1) Pass, 2) Good 3) Very Good 4) Excellent 5) Outstanding

Answer 4

A building's impact is rated by assessors using weighted environmental categories: 1) Energy consumption 2) Water use 3) Transport links 4) Waste management 5) Health and Well being

Answer 5

A property survey by a registered assessor, who gathers data which is fed into a standardized calculation model (SAP) to determine a numerical energy efficiency rating (1-100) and an A-G letter grade. Data includes: ● Construction ● Insulation ● Heating system ● Lighting ● Size and layout ● Renewable energy ● Fuel type

Answer 6

Part L - Conservation of fuel and power ● Part 1 dwellings, Part 2 non dwellings ● Updated recently that all news homes must produce at least 31% less carbon emissions. ● Includes ways of limiting heat gains and losses, insulation, heating, lighting, ventilation, and use of renewable energy.

Answer 7

The SKA Rating is a widely recognized sustainability assessment and certification method specifically designed for fit outs of commercial properties in the UK.

Answer 8

Summaries the survey of over 4,000 RICS members in 32 countries. ● Interest in sustainably built assets among investors and occupiers has risen for the fourth year in a row (+54% in the UK). ● The biggest challenges to sustainable construction were high initial cost, skills and knowledge shortages, cultural issues and established practices. ● 34% do not measure embodied carbon on their projects - this needs to be embraced. ● Resilience of buildings to extreme weather only considered moderately important to investors and occupiers. ● In a fifth of projects globally, biodiversity is not considered. ● RICS recommends a number of high-level policy measures to drive decarbonisation and increase resilience to climate impacts. Sector-specific targets that align with national climate commitments.

Answer 9

Almost 40% of global carbon emissions.

Answer 10

A framework for measuring an organisation's performance based on three key areas: social, environmental, and financial impact. It expands the traditional bottom line of profit. ● social - impact on its employees, suppliers, communities, and other stakeholders. ● economic - profit ● environmental - environmental footprint, including resource consumption, waste generation, pollution, and climate change.

Answer 11

The NPPF promotes sustainable development through a "presumption in favour" approach, encouraging sustainable development.

Answer 12

● The Kyoto Protocol ● The Paris Agreement

Answer 13

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris in 2015. Its primary goal is to strengthen the global response to climate change by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C.

Answer 14

An international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was the first legally binding agreement with emission reduction targets. While it was a significant step, it had limitations, and was later superseded by the Paris Agreement.

Answer 15

The 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was a major UN climate conference held in Glasgow in 2021. The primary goal was to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Answer 16

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 parties including all 194 UN member states.

Answer 17

To achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Answer 18

The amount of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) added to the atmosphere is not more than is taken out. Can be achieved by: 1) Reducing emissions 2) Implementing methods to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Answer 19

● Resource extraction ● Energy consumption ● Waste generation ● Air and water pollution

Answer 20

● Natural lighting ● Insulation ● Energy efficient appliances ● Renewable energy source e.g. solar panels, wind turbines ● Greywater systems - reusing treated waste water for irrigation or flushing toilets ● Lowflow fixtures e.g. toilets, showers to reduce water consumption ● Green roofs or walls ● Sustainable materials e.g. wood

Answer 21

A concept where companies integrate social, environmental, and ethical considerations into their business operations and interactions with stakeholders. Going beyond legal requirements to benefit society and the environment.

Answer 22

Environmental assessment methods.

Answer 23

Under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012: ● Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) must be provided when buildings are constructed, sold, or rented (or refurbished with HVAC altered). ● EPCs assess a building's energy efficiency and provide an energy rating (A to G). ● Require Display Energy Certificates (DECs) to be displayed in large public buildings.

Answer 24

● Whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) for the built environment

Answer 25

Whole life carbon refers to the carbon impacts over the entire life cycle of a built asset, from its construction through to its end of life. A whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) is the calculation and reporting of the quantity of carbon impacts expected throughout all life cycle stages of a project.

Answer 26

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a product, from its extraction and processing to its end-of-life, including manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. It essentially quantifies the carbon footprint of materials and construction processes used to create a building or infrastructure.

Answer 27

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring and human-produced gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and warming the planet.

Answer 28

● Renewable materials e.g. wood, cork ● Recycled materials e.g. steel, glass plastic, brick, stone ● Locally sourced materials ● Green roofs / walls / spaces ● Electric / renewable fueled plant and machinery ● Renewable energy generation e.g. solar panels, wind turbines ● Energy loss reduction e.g. insulation ● Natural light utilisation

Answer 29

Ensure social, economic and environmental factors are considered throughout by: ● Establishing sustainability goal at the start of the project (e.g. BREEAM) ● Ensure sustainability is considered throughout e.g. item in meeting agendas

Answer 30

Offsite manufacturing (OSM) and modular construction are methods of building where components are made remotely, then delivered and assembled on site.

Answer 31

A process of estimating the total cost of an asset throughout its entire useful life, from initial acquisition to disposal.

Answer 32

A set of 17 goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. These goals aim to address global challenges with the overarching goal of creating a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. 1) No poverty 2) Zero hunger 3) Good health and wellbeing 4) Quality education 5) Gender equality 6) Clean water and sanitation 7) Affordable and clean energy 8) Decent work and economic growth 9) Industry, innovation and infrastructure 10) Reduced inequalities 11) Sustainable cities and communities 12) Responsible consumption and production 13) Climate action 14) Life below water 15) Life on land 16) Peach, justice and strong institutions 17) Partnerships for the goals

Answer 33

A new RICS campaign aims to help our profession implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and preserve our planet for future generations.

Answer 34

Sustainable drainage systems. ● Since 2019, all construction work in Wales with drainage implications, of 100m² or more, is now required to have Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to manage on-site surface water. ● Under the Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA), local authorities are SABs.

Answer 35

A more natural approach to managing drainage systems mimicking the natural cycle of water management by retaining water where it lands. Types include: ● Infiltration - infiltrates into the soil ● Retention - storing water e.g. ponds or underground tanks ● Conveyance - transfering water to a point of discharge e.g. swales Exampels include: ● Green roofs ● Permeable paving ● Raingardens ● Swales

Answer 36

ISO 14001 = establishing an Environmental Management System (EMS)

Answer 37

An approach that helps organizations manage their environmental responsibilities and minimize their environmental impact.

Answer 38

Sustainable procurement is a purchasing process that considers the environmental, social, and economic impacts of goods and services throughout their lifecycle. It goes beyond simply seeking the lowest price and aims to integrate sustainability into every stage of the procurement process.

Answer 39

The positive impact an organisation has on society e.g. community well-being, job creation, and environmental sustainability.

Answer 40

● Using low-carbon materials ● Improving energy efficiency ● Adopting circular economy principles.

Answer 41

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of a proposed development or project, usually carried out early in a project.

Answer 42

● Modular construction ● Prefabrication ● Precast concrete

Answer 43

Publicly available specification.

Answer 44

Scope 1 = direct emissions e.g. form company owned vehicles, boilers etc. Scope 2 = Indirect Emissions from Purchased Energy - electricity, heat, steam, or cooling that a company purchases from external source Scope 3 = Other Indirect Emissions - all other emission not included in 1 and 2

Answer 45

Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.

Answer 46

RICS Professional standard: Residential retrofit standard

Answer 47

In construction, retrofit refers to the process of upgrading existing buildings or structures with new materials, technologies, or systems to improve their performance, efficiency, or functionality. E.g.: ● Adding insulation ● Replacing windows and doors ● Upgrading HVAC systems ● Replacing lighting ● Installing solar panels

Answer 48

● Energy savings ● Improved comfort ● Reduced environmental impact ● Potential for increased property values

Answer 49

● Unintentional negative impact e.g. moisture build up due to added insulation ● Expense ● Skill gap

Sustainability Flashcards

(74 cards)