12 - Sustainability Flashcards

Question

What is green construction?

Answer 1

Green construction is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.

Answer 2

Part L of the building regs – Conservation of Fuel and Power. Part L aims to achieve zero carbon buildings or as close to it as possible giving practical guidance on ways of complying with Energy efficient requirements.

Answer 3

Minimum energy efficiency standard - introduced march 20015 by the energy efficiency regulations 2015

Answer 4

Building not required to have an EPC such as industrial sites, non residential agriculture buildings, certain listed buildings, holidays lets etc

Answer 5

When a building is built, sold or rented

Answer 6

Commercial property's over 500 sq. m frequently visited by the public

Answer 7

Requirement under Energy Performance In Buildings Regulations 2007. It is the measure of the designed energy usage and must be produced when a building is constructed, sold, rented out or subject to major alterations. Rates properties A-G and must provide recommendations to improve the property.

Answer 8

Energy Performance Certificate – Measure of the designed energy usage of a property and will look at factors such as windows, insulation and the potential for upgrading. Display energy certificate is similar but used on public buildings. Required on all buildings rented out

Answer 9

DECs were introduced to raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building. A DEC is an energy certificate that shows the operational energy rating of a public building, from A to G where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient.

Answer 10

Listed buildings, places of worship and temporary structures

Answer 11

The value of how thermally efficient a part of a building is. It helps identify what areas need to be improved where there is heat loss such as roofs, windows or walls. Measured in W/m2k

Answer 12

Watts over meters squared kelvin

Answer 13

L1A is for new buildings, where as L1B is for existing dwellings. This is as it would be naive to think it is suitable to attach the same provision when altering an existing building as opposed to building something new.

Answer 14

* It is an energy performance standard for dwellings, commercial, industrial and public buildings. * It is a building for which thermal comfort can be achieved via indoor air quality conditions. i.e. without the need for air recirculation which means they no longer require traditional heating or cooling methods.

Answer 15

12.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Earth's greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet. The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated gases (which are synthetic)

Answer 16

Implemented the objective of the UN to reduce the onset of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentration in the air.

Answer 17

To hold increase in global average temps to 2oc below pre industrial level and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5oc. Also to use 20% renewable energy by 2050

Answer 18

Carbon neutral by 2050

Answer 19

To be carbon neutral by 2050

Answer 20

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's first sustainability rating scheme for the built environment and has contributed much to the strong focus in the UK on sustainability in building design, construction and use. 5 different standards for different buildings, most relevant are : New construction - homes and commercial buildings In use - commercial buildings Refurbishment and fit out - homes and commercial buildings.

Answer 21

``` BREEAM Rating % score OUTSTANDING ≥ 85 EXCELLENT ≥ 70 VERY GOOD ≥ 55 GOOD ≥ 45 PASS ≥ 30 UNCLASSIFIED < 30 ```

Answer 22

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) which came into force in England and Wales on 1 April 2018. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Rating is E and above for commercial properties for existing and new leases (April 2023). C- 2027 (interim) B- 2030 For residential - compulsory energy performance certificate rating of 'C' on new tenancies by December 2025, and on all rented properties by December 2028.

Answer 23

The introduction of DECs will raise public awareness of energy efficiency in public buildings. DECs provide an energy rating of the building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient and they are based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building over a period of 12 months. They also show ratings for the previous two years for comparison. A DEC must be provided for a building (or part of a building which is designed or altered to be used separately) with a total useful floor area of over 250 m2 (total useful floor area is defined as the total area of all enclosed spaces measured to the internal face of the external walls, including areas such as staircases and galleries) which is occupied by a public authority. The building must also be frequently visited by members of the public to receive a public service.

Answer 24

Non-domestic fit-outs

Answer 25

Social - Social sustainability is the ability of society, to persistently achieve a good social well-being. Environmental - Environmental sustainability means we are living within the means of our natural resources. Consumption of natural resources, materials, fuels, land, water at a sustainable rate.Economic sustainability requires that a business or country uses its resources efficiently and responsibly so that it can operate in a sustainable manner to consistently produce an operational profit. Economic - Economic sustainability requires that a business or country uses its resources efficiently and responsibly so that it can operate in a sustainable manner to consistently produce an operational profit.

Answer 26

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” The Brundtland Report, ‘Our Common Future’, was published in 1987 by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (UNWCED). Regarded as a landmark report that placed environmental issues on the global political agenda.

Answer 27

* Temporary buildings * Places of worship * Listed building (exceptions)

Answer 28

£3,500 including VAT

Answer 29

Talks for this to be upgraded to £10,000

Answer 30

Non-dwellings is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building, subject to a minimum penalty of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. There is a default penalty of £750 where the formula cannot be applied.

Answer 31

You must display an EPC by fixing it to your commercial building if all these apply: * The total useful floor area is over 500 square metres * The building is frequently visited by the public * An EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental or construction

Answer 32

The government has announced that by 2025, all new homes will be banned from installing gas and oil boilers and will instead be heated by low-carbon alternatives. The ban is part of a UK action plan to reach carbon net zero by 2050

Answer 33

Yes the recent introduction of approved document S - Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles.

Answer 34

RICS define responsible business as ‘operating efficiently and responsibly. It meets and exceeds legislation and always considers its impact on people (the workforce, community and society at large) and the environment’.

Answer 35

The RICS published the Responsible Business Framework in December 2021, leading on from their Responsible Business Report in 2019. The Framework is not mandatory guidance, but instead provides best practice guidance on responsible business for organisations of all sizes.

Answer 36

* To highlight best practice and provide useful content for the real estate management industry on how it should operate in a more responsible and ethical manner * To influence clients, landlords and owners/occupiers in their thinking, planning and expectations on services required * To provide clarity on the relationship with all stakeholders for improved engagement across the supply chain * To provide a global approach towards embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into the management of real estate * To provide clarity on the terminology and definitions for responsible business and ESG * To provide alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and other global reporting frameworks in demonstrating impacts on society and the environment * To highlight the important role that property, and the people and organisations involved in its management, can play in the creation of lasting social value.

Answer 37

Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Answer 38

RICS Value the planet - Our Value the Planet campaign promotes the preservation of the planet through the implementation of the UN's sustainable development goals. We encourage our professionals to implement the SDGs. The campaign also offers us a great opportunity to highlight the public interest responsibility of RICS and demonstrate the benefits that the surveying profession provides in offering solutions to society's most challenging issues.

Answer 39

* Paris Agreement - The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It also aims to strengthen countries' ability to deal with the impacts of climate change and support them in their efforts. * Kyoto Protocol - The Kyoto Protocol – a milestone in global efforts to combat climate change. With the Kyoto Protocol, the international community agreed for the first time on binding targets and measures for combating climate change. The Kyoto Protocol stipulates global ceilings for greenhouse gas emissions. * The Climate Change Act 2008 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for all six Kyoto greenhouse gases for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline, toward avoiding dangerous climate change

Answer 40

Energy performance certificates are a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings. The building is given a rating between A - G, the EPC will also include tips the most cost effective ways to improve your homes energy rating. Energy performance certificates (EPCs), set out the energy efficiency rating of buildings. They are required when buildings are built, sold or rented, if they have a roof and walls and use energy to condition an indoor climate. If a building contains separate units (for example a block of flats), each unit needs an EPC, but they are not required for shared bedsit type accommodation. Buildings that do not need an energy performance certificate include: Places of worship. Temporary buildings. Stand-alone buildings with a floor area of less than 50 square metres. Industrial and agricultural buildings with low energy requirements. Protected buildings, where compliance with energy efficiency requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance. Rented dwellings that continue to be occupied by the same tenant since before 1 October 2008. Buildings that are suitable for demolition.

Answer 41

A U-value is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up an entire building element – for example, a roof, wall or floor. It also includes adjustments for any fixings or air gaps

Answer 42

SAP stands for 'Standard Assessment Procedure' and is the government's method for calculating the energy performance of dwellings. These calculations are only necessary for residential properties.

Answer 43

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's first sustainability rating scheme for the built environment and has contributed much to the strong focus in the UK on sustainability in building design, construction and use.

Answer 44

Approved Doc L - Conservation of fuel and power

Answer 45

* sustainable design * durability * energy efficiency * waste reduction * indoor air quality * water conservation * sustainable building materials

Answer 46

* Environmental Protection Construction work should be environmentally friendly and pollution free. * Safety Construction work has to be carried out in safety and comfort, with a method that implements the highest safety criteria. * Speed Construction work should be completed in the shortest possible period of time. * Economy Construction work must be done rationally with an inventive mind to overcome all constraints at the lowest cost. * Aesthetics Construction work must proceed smoothly and the finished product should portray cultural and artistic flavour.

Answer 47

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), first introduced in 2018, EPC for commercial premises and soon to be residential lettings.

Answer 48

Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method

Answer 49

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's first sustainability rating scheme for the built environment and has contributed much to the strong focus in the UK on sustainability in building design, construction and use.

Answer 50

We are an innovative group of researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians who share a common goal – to make the built environment better for all. We generate new knowledge through independent research

Answer 51

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world (USA)

Answer 52

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), first introduced in 2018, EPC for commercial premises and soon to be residential lettings.

Answer 53

Standard assessment procedure

Answer 54

``` BREEAM Rating % score • OUTSTANDING ≥ 85 • EXCELLENT ≥ 70 • VERY GOOD ≥ 55 • GOOD ≥ 45 • PASS ≥ 30 • UNCLASSIFIED < 30 ``` * Outstanding: Less than top 1% of buildings (innovator) * Excellent: Top 10% of buildings (best practice) * Very Good: Top 25% of buildings (advanced good practice) * Good: Top 50% of buildings (intermediate good practice) * Pass: Top 75% of buildings (standard good practice)

Answer 55

Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources.

Answer 56

On 20 April 2021, the Government announced that it “will set the world's most ambitious climate change target” to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels as part of its sixth carbon budget. The Government is required to set carbon budgets under the Climate Change Act 2008 Net carbon zero by 2050 - Climate change act

Answer 57

* Development with high levels of sustainability should not be refused on the grounds of incompatibility with the existing townscape (where mitigated by good design); * Local planning authorities should support energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings; * Development should comply with the Local Plan requirements for decentralised energy supply; * Development should take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to minimise energy consumption; * Local authorities should have a positive strategy for promoting energy from renewable and low carbon sources, and design policy to maximise renewable and low carbon development while ensuring adverse impacts are addressed satisfactorily.

Answer 58

The aim of the database is to allow users to identify where associated carbon emission reductions can be made, during all stages of a building's life cycle. For organisations who submit their data, the database is free to use and registration is available here. To access the data, users are required to input construction project data into the database (both theoretical and completed projects), which in turn allows users to estimate/benchmark whole life carbon emissions.

Answer 59

A thermal bridge, also called a cold bridge, is an area of a building construction which has a significantly higher heat transfer than the surrounding materials. This is typically where there is either a break in the insulation, less insulation or the insulation is penetrated by an element with a higher thermal conductivity. Where the building is situated in a cold climate (such as the UK) this can result in additional heat loss at these points.

Answer 60

Energy performance certificates are a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings. The building is given a rating between A - G, the EPC will also include tips the most cost effective ways to improve your homes energy rating.

Answer 61

In 2019 the government introduced a legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.New Build and Existing Buildings Proposes a ban on fossil fuel boilers from 2025 to decrease in emissions of 75 to 80% compared with current levels.

Answer 62

Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (MEES Regulations) a minimum energy efficiency standard of band E applies. It is already unlawful to let a sub-standard non-residential property unless a valid exemption has been registered. From 1 April 2023 this will be extended to existing lettings, making it unlawful to continue to let a sub-standard property unless a valid exemption has been registered. By 2025 should be above Level 'C'

Answer 63

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Answer 64

SKA Rating is a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit outs. It helps landlords and tenants assess fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known as Good Practice Measures (GPM)

Answer 65

* There is DEC- Display Energy Certificate * SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) * LEED * Energy efficiency of products e.g., a fridge that has an A+ rating because its highly energy effect * U-Values"

Answer 66

* Outstanding >85% * Excellent >70% * Very Good >55% * Good >45% * Pass >30% * Unclassified <30%"

Answer 67

PV panels that can be located on roofs. Could be mounted rather than being fixed into the roof so if you have had a new roof and you have a guarantee with that you can just mount it. You would have to review the existing capacity as well to make sure the local infrastructure could handle what you will be receiving.

Answer 68

* The orientation of the panels to ensure they would be effective and in the direction of the sun * Existing loading of the roof and if it would accommodate the additional loadings * How you would root the cables from the roof down to your DB or invertor. * Is it safe to work on the roof, would you need to add any additional protection, any roof lights on there etc.

Answer 69

* Religious buildings * Listed buildings * ‘High-Cost’ Exemption’ if the cost of making the cheapest improvement would exceed £3,500. Consideration of potential future changes to this. * If payback exceeds 7 years * If landlord has demonstrated to make all relevant improvements * Wall insulation exception, certain insulation systems may not be suitable * If consent cannot be obtained * If measures devalue the property by more than 5% * Applications need to be made to the PRS exemption register"

Answer 70

We have an impact on buildings throughout their lifecycle so if we came across buildings which were constructed and not so environmentally friendly, our services could highlight this and we could then review potential options with clints to make their buildings more environmentally friendly particularly as more clients are aware of the sustainability issues. We also have an impact on sustainability ourselves from travelling and operations going paperless for example.

Answer 71

COP27 - The climate summit in Egypt which stands for the 27th "Conference of the Parties" It represents a gathering of all the countries signed on to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Climate Agreement. The group meets every year to discuss progress on the fight against climate change and negotiate how to fulfill the terms of climate agreements.

Answer 72

* Environment - Ecological integrity is maintained, all of earth’s environmental systems are kept in balance while natural resources within them are consumed by humans at a rate where they are able to replenish themselves. * Society - Universal human rights and basic necessities are attainable by all people * Economy - Human communities across the globe are able to maintain their independence and have access to the resources that they require, financial and other, to meet their needs.

Answer 73

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is a methodology introduced by the Government to assess and compare the energy and environmental performance of buildings to make sure that any new developments will not only meet Building Regulations, but also all energy and environmental policy initiatives.

Answer 74

3.10 Members and firms, when advising clients about projects, encourage solutions that are sustainable in that they minimise harm and deliver balanced economic, social and environmental benefits.

Answer 75

* Built Environment Carbon Database * ICMS 3 * Implementing the UN sustainable development goals * Environmental risks and global real estate 1st edition, November 20 * Responsible business A framework for real estate management 1st edition, December 2021

Answer 76

Environmental, social and corporate governance Environmental, social, and corporate governance is an approach to evaluating the extent to which a corporation works on behalf of social goals that go beyond the role of a corporation to maximize profits on behalf of the corporation's shareholder

Answer 77

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Answer 78

A circular economy is a systemic approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. In contrast to the 'take-make-waste' linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design and aims to gradually decouple growth from the consumption of finite resources.

Answer 79

Passive house is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.

Answer 80

* Super insulation * Stringent levels of airtightness * Minimal thermal bridging * Optimisation of passive solar gain * Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery * Simple compact shape

Answer 81

LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points).

Answer 82

The Climate Change Act commits the UK government by law to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050. This includes reducing emissions from the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), which currently account for about 20% of the UK's emissions.

Answer 83

This framework replaced the former Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme in 2019. It requires companies of 250 or more employees, turnover of more than £36m or a balance sheet of more than £18m to report on their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by submitting financial accounts to Companies House. `

Answer 84

The UN published a list of 17 SDGs as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. * Eliminating poverty * Taking climate action * Ensuring good health and well-being * Providing quality education * Generating affordable and clean energy * Creating sustainable cities and communities. With the built environment representing up to 70% of global wealth, RICS has published guidance on adopting the SDGs in professional practice.

Answer 85

The RICS campaign to encourage firms and members to implement the SDGs. The organisation has published a checklist to promote sustainable business, recommending actions that businesses can take. These include considering brownfield rather than greenfield sites for development, and carrying out life-cycle assessments to assess different project options and inform decision-making. The RICS has also published a responsible business framework, detailing how an ethical approach to financial, environmental and social activities can ensure success and mitigate risks.

Answer 86

Integrating water cycle management into the planning and urban design stages can involve dealing with water demand and supply, waste water, pollution, rainfall, run-off, flooding and water pathways, to improve resilience and ensure resource security.

Answer 87

This is where greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by their removal from the atmosphere. The UK government has a current target to achieve net zero by 2050 by following a ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, including advancing offshore wind, greener buildings, green finance, and investment in carbon capture and storage.

Answer 88

A certificates are required in public buildings of more than 250m2 and must be shown in a prominent and visible place. They provide an energy efficiency rating from A, highest, to G, lowest. DECs are valid for one year if a building is more than 1,000m2, or for ten years if a building is 250-1,000m2. The penalty for not showing a DEC is £500.

Answer 89

The UK government is set to introduce this standard by 2025, with the aim of future-proofing new-build homes by installing low-carbon heating (e.g., heat pumps) and LED lighting. This will be achieved through changes to Parts F and L of the Building Regulations, which deal with ventilation and with conservation of fuel and power respectively. For existing homes, RICS has created a consumer guide to help individuals lower their domestic carbon emissions.

Answer 90

This legislation introduced a number of significant measures, including community rights to purchase shares or equitable interest in large renewable energy projects and additional safeguards relating to shale gas fracking, and a new carbon offsetting regime.

Answer 91

Relating to overheating in residential dwellings and buildings such as care homes and student accommodation, this also takes effect in June. The key requirements are to limit unwanted solar gains in the summer months, and provide adequate means of removing heat from internal spaces.

Answer 92

This voluntary energy efficiency standard aims to create buildings that use substantially less energy for heating than those constructed in line with current Building Regulations. Key features of Passivhaus design for both commercial and residential buildings include high levels of airtightness, minimal thermal bridging, optimisation of passive solar gain, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and high levels of insulation.

Answer 93

Approved Document S - Infrastructure for Charging Electric Vehicles Part L - Updates

Answer 94

Air source heat pumps PV Panels Materials made from recycled materials

Answer 95

calculation - cost vs time, savings in energy

Answer 96

Reference Michael Man, correlation in temperatures

Answer 97

Meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow (Bruntland Report)

Answer 98

I would highlight the long term benefits over the short term savings.

Answer 99

Superseeded by the Building Regulations

Answer 100

Load, orientation, number, maintenance

Answer 101

Public buildings, Sqm?

Answer 102

Listed buildings, £3,500?

Answer 103

5 stage process to mitigating overheating

Answer 104

Conference of the Parties

Answer 105

First time climate change initiatives were discussed and agreed to, but was effectively superseed by the paris agreements

Answer 106

List, Energy Act 2011

Answer 107

Built Environment = 40%

Answer 108

Buying carbon credits (shares in green companies)

Answer 109

I proposed that the client instruct a contractor that was registered with the Considerate Constructor's Scheme

Answer 110

CICS created the CCS following the Latham Report. Its a voluntary scheme for contractors and clients with three main concerns: the general public, the workforce and the environment. They agree to comply with the Code of Considerate Practice.

Answer 111

75% - Gold 50% - Silver 25% - Bronze

Answer 112

Referring to the 'hockey stick graph' which looks at northern hemisphere temps, there has been a hockey stick shaped increase since the insdustrial revolution, suggesting human accountability on climate change.

Answer 113

Project driven: it labels fit out projects irrespective of the base building. A free online tool to help organisations achieve more sustainable fit outs (businesses only pay if they want formal certification). Flexible scoping: the tool measures only what is within the specific project’s scope. Ska comprises over 100 criteria - Energy - CO2 - Waste - Water - Pollution - Transport - Materials - Wellbeing

Answer 114

Encourage them to take out a green lease, the RICS recommends leases are taken out that ensure the property is used as sustainably as possible. Sometimes also called green clauses.

Answer 115

- Direct (owned or controlled sources) - Indirect (owned or controlled sources) - Indirect i.e supply or value chain's emissions

Answer 116

- Where all the relevant improvements have been made but the property is still sub-standard - Where the landlord is unable to get consent despite reasoable effort - Where the improvements would reduce the market value of the property

Answer 117

- 1.5* reiterated, as confirmed 2* is not safe - Funding for countries most hit by the impacts of climate change - Focus on sustainable adaptation rather than speed - Focus on nature and natural solutions - Concern that the parties struggled with the technicality of some of the documents - Concern that there was no talk of fossil fuel use peaking at 2025

Answer 118

- Phase down rather than phase out of coal in India - The damage fund was proposed after a previous fund target was missed (brought in following year) - Concern not enough progress was made

12 - Sustainability Flashcards

(159 cards)