Sustainability Flashcards
(20 cards)
Please explain your understanding of what happened at COP29?
COP29 Azerbaijan in November 2024
global carbon market
putting a price on carbon, it incentivises industries to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies, helping to reduce the global carbon footprint.
What is meant by the term Global Carbon Market?
This refers to an international system that allows the buying and selling of carbon emissions, allowances or credits. It is designed to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon to incentivise countries, companies and business entities to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies and help to reduce the global carbon footprint.
Please provide a high-level overview of the RICS Sustainability Report?
The RICS Sustainability Report 2024 provides a detailed analysis of the current state of sustainability within the built environment sector. The key findings included identification of an increase in market demand for green buildings however the adoption of sustainable building practices remains limited. High upfront costs and insufficient government incentives form significant barriers to widespread implementation of greener building methods. The report highlighted a need for consistent sustainability measurement across projects. Tools like the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) standard aim to address this issue by providing a unified framework for assessing and reducing carbon emissions throughout a building’s lifecycle. The RICS emphasises that the level of commitment and action needs to increase substantially to achieve 2050 net-zero targets. The RICS continues to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability policies and standards globally. Its involvement in initiatives like the UN’s Buildings Breakthrough highlights the importance of harmonising sustainability standards worldwide.
Please explain your understanding of the acronym MEES?
MEES stands for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. These are regulations in the UK that set minimum energy performance requirements for buildings, specifically for privately rented properties. Under MEES, properties in the private rental sector must meet at least an E rating on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be legally rented out. If a building is rated lower than an E, landlords are required to improve the energy efficiency of the property before renting it out, unless specific exemptions apply. The MEES regulations are part of the UK government’s broader environmental and sustainability agenda, aiming to ensure that properties are energy efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Please explain your understanding of the term Urban greening factor?
The urban greening factor is a tool that evaluates and measures the amount of urban greening (vegetation cover and planting around buildings) to aid the appropriate planning of greening on future developments. The aim is to increase the amount of green cover around buildings and support its consideration at the design and outset of developments. Councils can develop their own targets with the plan for London being a target score of 0.4 for residential developments and 0.3 for commercial developments.
Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?
Sustainability as a principle aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Key principles of sustainability were set out within the Brundtland Commission Report titled ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987 which identified the need for sustainable development based around environmental protection, economic growth and social equity. It called for conservation of the environment and resources by gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies.
What are the key principles of sustainability?
Key principles of sustainability are focused around social, economic and environmental factors. From a social standpoint, there is a requirement for society to build healthy communities with a sufficient number and diverse range of buildings for housing, commercial entities and infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. Economic factors also form part of the key principles of sustainability as there is a demand to build strong, responsive and competitive economies which requires the efficient use of availble land which is in limited supply. Environmental factors also play a key role in sustainability as there is a demand to enhance of our built environment sector without damaging the natural spaces and historical buildings that surround these.
What are the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in construction?
The Building Act is the primary piece of UK Legislation that enables the Building Regulations to be enforced. This is to assist in the conservation of fuel and power, to prevent waste, misuse or contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe. The Clean Air Act provides local authorities within England to introduce measures in order to control air pollution. The Climate Change Act is a legally binding framework to tackle climate change and imposes targets to cut greenhouse emissions when compared against 1990 levels.
What are the Building Regulations that relate to sustainability in construction?
The Building Regulations Part L relate to Conservation of Fuel and Power to prevent waste, contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe. The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations requires that EPC’s are produced for dwellings and non-dwellings which quantifies the energy efficiency of buildings and is required when buildings are built, sold or rented.
What does the NPPF say about sustainability.
Presumption in favour of sustainable development
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificates
What does an EPC measure?
Energy efficiency of a building
What is meant by “sustainability” in the context of planning and development?
Sustainability in planning and development refers to meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
It involves balancing environmental protection, economic growth, and social inclusion when making decisions about land use, infrastructure, and the built environment.
How is sustainability addressed in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)?
The NPPF sets out a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which underpins plan-making and decision-taking.
It encourages developments that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially inclusive—ensuring that land is used efficiently and that climate resilience, design quality, and resource efficiency are prioritised.
What is the UK’s legal target for carbon emissions?
The UK has a legally binding target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 (amended in 2019).
This target shapes national and local planning policy and encourages low-carbon construction, renewable energy, and energy-efficient design.
What sustainability assessment tools are you familiar with?
I’m familiar with BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), which assesses environmental, social, and economic sustainability in buildings, and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which measure a building’s energy efficiency. These tools help benchmark performance and guide improvements in building design and operation.
Why is sustainability important to the property and development industry?
Sustainable developments are more resilient, cost-effective over their lifecycle, and attractive to investors, occupiers, and regulators. Sustainability also reduces environmental impact, contributes to climate change mitigation, and aligns with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles that are increasingly important across the industry.
How does RICS promote sustainability among its members?
RICS provides professional guidance, such as the RICS Sustainability and ESG Guidance Note, and encourages members to integrate sustainability principles into all aspects of their work. The institution also supports industry-wide initiatives to reduce carbon, promote biodiversity, and deliver inclusive, sustainable outcomes.
