What is the Brundtland definition of sustainability?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environmental. social and economic.
What is the difference between operational and embodied carbon?
Operational carbon comes from energy use during building operation; embodied carbon comes from materials and construction.
What are low carbon materials and why are they used?
Materials that have lower embodied carbon (e.g. recycled steel, low carbon concrete) to reduce environmental impact.
What is material resource efficiency?
Using materials efficiently throughout the supply chain to minimise waste, cost, and environmental impact.
Why is embodied carbon important to buildings?
It can make up a large portion of a buildings total carbon footprint, especially as operational energy use decreases.
How does the supply chain affect embodied carbon?
Transportation, manufacturing and sourcing all add carbon; local sourcing and prefabrication reduce it.
what is whole life carbon?
The total carbon emissions from construction, operation, maintenance, and end of life disposal of a building.
What is lifecycle costing and how does it relate to sustainability?
Considers all costs over a buildings life; efficient design and low carbon materials can reduce long term costs.
How can building design contribute to sustainability?
Through passive design, adaptability, efficient form and material choice to reduce and resource use.
Give an example of passive design features?
Orientation to maximise daylight, insulation, natural ventilation, or window shading.
How can construction processes reduce environmental impact?
By reducing waste, optimising logistics, using pre fabrication, and recycling materials on site.
What is modern methods of construction (MMC) and how does it support sustainability?
Prefabricated or modular construction reduces waste, energy use and on-site disruption.
Give an example of technology that improves building sustainability.
Smart HVAC systems, solar PV, LED Lighting, or heat recovery ventilation.
How can prefabrication reduce waste and carbon emissions?
Components are made to exact sizes off site, reducing on-site waste and transport trips.
How does a building orientation affect energy efficiency?
South facing windows can maximise solar gain, reducing heating and lighting energy needs.
What is the Climate Change Act 2008 and its relevance to construction?
UK law setting legally binding carbon reduction targets, encouraging low-energy design and materials.
What is an energy performance certificate (EPC) and what does it measure?
A rating (A-G) showing a buildings energy efficiency.
What is MEES and how does it affect rental property?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards; rented buildings must have an EPC rating of E or above.
How do Building Regulations Part L and Part F influence sustainable construction?
Part L sets out energy efficiency standards and Part F sets out ventilation requirements.
What international agreements affect sustainability in construction.
Paris Agreement - encourages global carbon reduction
How can taxation influence material and construction choices?
Landfill taxes or carbon taxes encourage waste reduction and low-carbon material selection.
How is sustainability measured in finished buildings?
By energy efficiency, carbon emissions, water use, materials, waste and occupant wellbeing.
Name five criteria commonly used to measure building sustainability?
Energy use, carbon emissions, water efficiency, waste management, health and wellbeing.
