Sustainability (Level 3) Flashcards

Question

Level 1 - Which MEES exemptions only last for 5 years and cannot be transferred on sale?

Answer 1

7 year payback rule - not feasible to improve to minimum, despite all improvements made with a payback period of 7 years or less have been made. Three quotes from relevant works must be obtained. 5% Devaluation Case - improvements would reduce the market value of a property by more than 5%. 3rd Party Consent refused - When third-party consent from a tenant, landlord, or planning authority for improvements is refused or conditionally cannot be reasonably met by the landlord. lodged on centralised register

Answer 2

PRS Exemptions Register and renewed five-yearly

Answer 3

Consultation last year, white paper at the moment 2027 - C 2030 - B

Answer 4

Breach < 3 months – up to £5,000 or (if greater) 10% of the Rateable Value with a maximum penalty of £50,000 Break > 3 months – up to £10,000 or (if greater) 20% of the Rateable Value with a maximum penalty of £150,000 Enforced by local authorities

Answer 5

Local Authority

Answer 6

- illegal to let (20% commercial properties in F and G bracket) - valuation reduce if marketability reduces

Answer 7

- may require EPC for listed buildings

Answer 8

Energy Savings Oppertunity Scheme ESOS is an energy assessment scheme that is mandatory for large organisations in the UK (more than 250 employees, turnover more than £50m). They are required to: - Measure total energy consumption across buildings, transport, and industrial activities. - Conduct energy audits every 4 years to identify cost-effective energy efficiency recommendations. - Report compliance to the Environment Agency. Penalties from EA if not.

Answer 9

UK Tax on energy use (electric, gas, coal) to non-domestic users in the United Kingdom. Designed to improve energy effiiciency and reduce GHG. Energy generated from renewable sources is exempt from CCL. Exemptions: Some exemptions include low-energy businesses, charities, and certain types of energy use like renewables and combined heat and power (CHP) generation. CCL revenues are intended to fund energy-saving initiatives and reduce overall business carbon footprints.

Answer 10

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required for public buildings over 250 sq. m. They display actual energy used and carbon dioxide emissions. Valid for 10 years if 250m2-1,000m2 or 1 year if more than 1,000m2

Answer 11

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method Longest established certifiication of sustainability since 1990 550,000 certified buildings in UK

Answer 12

A voluntary environmental assessment tool to rate new and refurbished commercial and residential buildings. They are commonly being required to support planning applications

Answer 13

2 stages Design (interim certificate) Post-construction (final certificate)

Answer 14

Pass Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding 0-100%

Answer 15

- increased CSR - increased asset value - good PR

Answer 16

Based on 9 weighted criteria, including energy, water, transport, waste, health and wellbeing

Answer 17

Required the UK to achieve “net zero carbon” by 2050 Interim target of reducing emissions by 78% by 2035 (6th carbon budget)

Answer 18

Conference of Parties Most recently COP 26 - Dubai 2023 next one is Nov 2024 in Azerbajan

Answer 19

Cop 21 - Paris Almost all countries worldwide agreed to Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees

Answer 20

Climate Change Act 2008 Reduce GHG by 80% on 1990 levels

Answer 21

LEED RICS SKA Energy Star Nabers

Answer 22

Unlike BREEAM / LEED that focus on buildings, RICS SKA focuses on sustainability of interior fitouts (e.g office fit out) criteria of waste, water, energy, materials etc The RICS Ska Rating scheme aims to be the standard measure of a building fit-out’s sustainability, with a gold, silver, or bronze rating awarded.

Answer 23

10 point plan Establish Net Zero Carbon Scope – whole life of buildings i.e. carbon emissions associated with construction, use, refurbishment and demolition Reduce Construction Impacts – changing the material they use Reduce Operation Energy Use – etrofit efficiency measures Increase Renewable Energy Supply Offset any Remaining Carbon – e.g. planting trees. This is the last resort

Answer 24

It can be used on any non-domestic fit out project, informally or by professionals, with similar criteria to BREEAM.

Answer 25

Some developers are using the WELL Building Standard This is a standard for buildings to be rated in respect of spaces that can optimise the health and mental wellbeing of occupiers

Answer 26

Ensuring buildings and their environments contribute positively to occupiers and the community

Answer 27

Insertion of sustainable objectives The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) has a Green Lease Toolkit with best practice recommendations for model forms of clauses

Answer 28

Economic model designed to re-use materials

Answer 29

Building design features that minimise environmental impact

Answer 30

Steel that has been salvaged and re-used * Every tonne of steel produced = 1.8 tonnes of CO2 * Highlighted in RICS Sustainability Report 2023 as area to target * Circular economy principles to minimise resource depletion and emissions. * Reduce embodied energy (total energy required to produce material throughout lifecycle).

Answer 31

total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials over their lifecycle.

Answer 32

* Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that absorb into the air when paint dries. * Two types: water-based and solvent based – water is more environmentally friendly. * Harmful to humans and environment – contributing to air pollution and smog formation. * Aligns with RICS Sustainability Report 2023 – encouraging sustainable materials * Low VOC paints often requirement of green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED. * Also reduce embodied carbon, aligning with Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (July, 2024)

Answer 33

* Sourced from old buildings that have been deconstructed * Extended life cycle of materials * Conserve natural resources * Embodied energy is much lower, helping to achieve low-carbon building targets. * Supports whole life cycle carbon assessments * Distinctive appearance that adds character * Support local economics and promote sustainable industries * Also treated with less VOC – therefore less toxic.

Answer 34

Often more weathered, aged appearance

Answer 35

Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (July, 2024)

Answer 36

Implementing LED lights that are typically 80% less energy intensive than traditional halogen (incandescent) bulbs. Areas with longer operating hours will see faster returns on investment due to higher energy savings from constant use. LED’s have 25x longer life span than incandescent bulbs

Answer 37

Typically between 1-4 years

Answer 38

Collecting electricity usage / costing data from the site Energy savings = baseline consumption - new consumption

Answer 39

* Complete entry form * Project overview * Environmental impact * Results * Supporting documentation * Reviewed by independent experts * Invited to presentation event * Typically hosted at iconic event in London e.g. Houses of Parliament

Answer 40

Invitiation to tender with client approval 3 quotes Chose cost-effective option that highlighted strong payback

Answer 41

This was before the EPC changes in April 2023

Answer 42

The previous report comissioned was old and did not provide meaningful comment. The new report used DSM to accurate demonstrate what improvement works would be necessary to reach C and B

Answer 43

LED lighting Upgraded HVAC Systems Cavity Wall Insulation

Answer 44

filling the gap (or cavity) between two layers of brickwork in a cavity wall with insulating material. It helps reduce heat loss, making the building more energy-efficient and lowering heating costs.

Answer 45

Light Green - Voluntary Medium Green - Some obligation, shared responsabilities Dark Green - Mandatory

Answer 46

Not for Profit organisation promoting sustainability * The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) has published various toolkits to provide guidance to owners and occupiers on how to achieve reductions in their energy, water, and waste in buildings.

Answer 47

Energy Efficiency Service Charge Allocations Sustainable Materials

Answer 48

Drafted in accordance with Model Commercial Leases (MCL) and BPP Also solicitor drafted lease and sense checked.

Answer 49

Dark Green Landlord and Tenant must procure all electricity from 100% renewable energy sources

Answer 50

Dark Green The tenant is not entitled to challenge service charge costs procured at greater cost where the increase is as a result of the landlord procuring services which promote environmental performance of the building (subject to max. 10% increase).

Answer 51

Light Green Where carrying out works, the tenant must source renewable materials to reduce embodied carbon, and where possible seek recycled materials for fitout. Where the cost would not exceed ordinary materials (reasonable to do so)

Answer 52

* Sustainable materials – tenant’s querying on excessive costings for necessary sustainable materials to be used. Re-drafted to light green clause, stating, where reasonable to do so, must seek sustainable materials where cost is not excessive.

Answer 53

* Corporate social responsibility is a business model by which companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhance rather than degrade society and the environment. * CSR can help improve society and promote a positive brand image for companies. * CSR includes four categories: environmental impacts, ethical responsibility, philanthropic endeavors, and financial responsibilities.

Answer 54

Overtime these clauses created quantifiable impacts, as new service charge provisions allowed for more sustainable contracts Sustainable materials were encouraged for the fitout Electricity contracts were 100% renewable

Answer 55

It is a public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England.

Answer 56

Part L Conservation of Fuel and power

Answer 57

Part L sets standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings.It includes requirements for thermal insulation, energy-efficient heating systems, and the reduction of carbon emissions. It covers areas such as: - Minimum insulation levels for walls, roofs, and floors. - Standards for windows and doors to minimize heat loss. - Efficient lighting and heating systems. - Recent updates have aimed to lower carbon emissions in buildings by around 30% as part of the UK's net-zero goals.

Answer 58

Report on: * Impact of the Built Environment on GHG * Rising demand for green buildings * ESG driving investment decisions * Green leases increase in provision * Sustainability factors in construction

Answer 59

o The ISO 14000 family of standards is designed to help organizations manage their environmental responsibilities systematically. o It includes standards related to environmental management systems, audits, life cycle analysis, and specific environmental issues like climate change.

Answer 60

ISO 14001 Certification demonstrates that the organization is committed to reducing its environmental impact and is continuously improving its environmental performance. Certification can provide assurance to clients, stakeholders, and employees that the organization is serious about sustainability. ISO 14001 helps manage risks related to environmental issues, such as waste management, pollution control, and energy consumption, which are key elements in construction projects and building operations.

Answer 61

Sustainable design is shifting towards whole-life costing, which accounts for the long-term costs and benefits of sustainability measures. Though initial investments in sustainable materials or technologies may be higher, they often result in lower long-term impacts and greater benefits.

Answer 62

National Planning Policy Framework Focusses on driving the three pillars of sustainability into planning framework.

Answer 63

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Larger projects often undergo EIAs, but these may sometimes be used to justify decisions retrospectively, rather than guiding sustainability-focused decisions. 3 overarching objectives: Social progress Economic wellbeing Environmental protection

Answer 64

* Bring all UK greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s) to Net Zero by 2050 * UK has decreased emissions by 42% while growing economy by 72% * Recommended by Committee on Climate Change, UK’s indepdenant climate advisory board. * Net zero means any emissions would be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage

Answer 65

Sustainable Development Goals 17 in total relate to: development phase use phase recovery phase

Answer 66

Embodied carbon = total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the materials and processes used throughout the lifecycle of a building, excluding its operational use. Operational carbon = carbon emissions that occur during the use phase of a building, primarily from the energy consumed for daily operations.

Answer 67

Building Regs. Energy Performance Certificates. NPPF

Answer 68

- Factor ESG considerations - Guidance on how ESG factors can directly influence Market Value - Valuation reports expected to adress Energy Performance and Sustainablility Ratings - link between sustainability and finance (e.g. green loans on green buildings)

Answer 69

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) - companies with over 250 employees or turnover 36m need to oblige - report on energy and GHG by submitting accounts to companies house annually Similar to SFDR - but this is for EU instead. SFDR categorises Article, 6,8,9 funds

Answer 70

Replaced Kyoto Protocol 1997 as primary international sustainability framework Requirement to set their own GHG reduction strategies

Answer 71

gasses that trap heat, leading to warming the planet, therefore, global warming, e.g. co2 emitted when burning fosssil fuels (coal, oil)

Answer 72

adopting waste management hierarchy (reduce, re-use, recycle) reporting on waste

Answer 73

ISO 14000 - family of standards designed to help organisations manage environmental responsabilities systematically ISO 14001 - most relevant standard - framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving environmental magement system (EMS) - aligned to legal requirements - only standard in this series that can be certified Certification demonstrates that the organization is committed to reducing its environmental impact and is continuously improving its environmental performance. Certification can provide assurance to clients, stakeholders, and employees that the organization is serious about sustainability.

Answer 74

- less waste - competative edge - improved client relationships - stakeholder trust improved - lower insurance premiums

Answer 75

Publication by RICS and UN Global Compact sets out how organisations can identify and adress the impact of their activities and decision-making throughout the real estate lifecycle

Answer 76

RICS Sustainability Report 2023

Answer 77

For real estate professionals, particularly those advising clients on property acquisition, management, or investment, adherence to this standard ensures that they are factoring in all potential environmental risks that could affect the value, use, or compliance of the asset.

Answer 78

- relate to provision of communal heating systems in commercial/residential - consumers must be provided wit accurate meter readings/bill information and competitively priced individual meters

Sustainability (Level 3) Flashcards

(105 cards)