Sustainability Flashcards
(41 cards)
Define sustainability.
Meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of future generations.
What is BREEAM?
An assessment method that measures the environmental performance of a building and its specification.
Stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What is WELL?
An accreditation surrounding health and wellbeing when using buildings.
What are some categories under BREEAM. Name at least 4.
12 main categories; Management, Water, Energy, Transport, Health & Wellbeing, Resources, Resilience, Land Use & Ecology, Pollution, Materials, Waste, Innovation.
What are some credits under BREEAM.
2 credits for ‘View Out’ under Health 01 - 95% of the floor area on each floor is within 7m of a window and that the glazing covers in excess of 20% of the floor.
1 credit for Thermal Controls under Health 04 - Occupant control required.
3 credits for ‘Responsible sourcing of materials’ under Mat 03.
2 credits for ‘Reuse and direct recycling of materials’ - Wst 01.2.
How did you achieve the credits for Mat 03 i.e., ‘Responsible sourcing of materials’?
Specifying certain British and International Standards of materials for timber, walls, plaster, paint and all other materials.
How did you achieve the credits for Wst 01.2 i.e., ‘Reuse and direct recycling of materials’?
The following materials will need to be recycled:
- Timber products
- Packaging materials e.g. wooden pallets
- New and unused insulation board?
- New and used plasterboard
- Furniture
- Vinyl floor coverings
What are the different classifications under BREEAM?
Outstanding 85%, Excellent 70%, Very Good 55%, Good 45%, Pass 30%, Unclassified.
What are the different classifications under WELL?
Platinum 9 or above, Gold 7-8, Silver 5-6, Unclassified less than 5.
What are some categories under WELL?
Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, Mind.
What does Net Zero Carbon mean?
Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
How are we going to achieve Net Zero?
How does this affect or work with current legislation?
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change, adopted in 2015 by 196 parties and entered into force in 2016.
Main goal: Its primary goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires all countries to contribute to this goal through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and aims to increase the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and provide finance to developing countries.
To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Trump has withdrawn noting it does not reflect the country’s values and that it unfairly burdens the US.
What is embodied carbon?
The greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a product or building, from material extraction and manufacturing to construction, use, and eventual disposal.
What is the latest update on whole life carbon?
Whole Life Carbon Assessment. 1st Edition November 2017. 2nd Edition July 2024.
How does the WLCA differ to other carbon measuring tools?
Estimates the amount of carbon emitted throughout the lifecycle of a constructed asset from early stages of development to end of life.
Gives visibility to embodied carbon, operational carbon and user carbon. All these are vital for accurate carbon calculations but is unique to the RICS standard.
When does it come into force?
RICS WLCA
July 2024.
What is a circular economy?
Represents the circular relationship of production and consumption. It prioritises the reuse of materials, preventing extraction of non-renewables and reducing the extent of one-use materials that end up in landfill.
Does your company have any sustainability targets?
G&T commits to net zero carbon by 2030.
How do you contribute to your company’s sustainability goals?
Recycling waste and spltting my rubbish into separate bins.
Only printing out paper when it is necessary - issuing information electronically rather than as hard copies.
Give me one example of social sustainability?
Having people in jobs, contributing to society.
Give me one example of economic sustainability?
Staff Retention - Ensuring I keep my clients happy so that provide repeat work. Cheaper than winning new work and keeps a good reputation that helps to win new work.
Client retention - Ensuring staff are looked after so that there isn’t high staff turnover causing inefficiencies and disruption on projects.
Give me one example of environmental sustainability?
Recycling waste and spltting my rubbish into separate bins.
Only printing out paper when it is necessary - issuing information electronically rather than as hard copies.
