What is sustainability?
To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What does BREEAM stand for and how does it measure sustainability?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
(Life Cycle Assessment)
Sets best practice standards for environmental performance of buildings.
What are the different BREEAM ratings?
Outstanding
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Pass
Unclassified
What components does BREEAM consider?
- Energy
- Heath and wellbeing
- Innovation
- Land use
- Materials
- Management
- Pollution
- Transport
-Sustainable management of construction, operational, repairs and maintenance, avoid landfill etc.
Can you provide an example of a building with a BREEAM Excellent rating?
“The Walkie Talkie”
20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London achieved BREAM Excellent rating post construction in 2011
How can you improve the sustainability of a building?
- Insulation
- Airtightness
- Thermal mass
- Make best use of natural light (South facing, U value on glass)
- Sustainable materials - use recycle and repair
- Use renewable technologies - PV solar panels
- Minimal waste/ sustainable disposal
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environmental, social and Economic
How have MEES affected your area of practice?
- Beginning to see investment properties with tenants in occupation of a unit with an EPC of F or G which is not exempt from MEES.
- Changing our reporting requirements to advise Landlords to undertake works to achieve at least an E rating.
- Ensuring Landlords are mindful of increase to C in April 2027 and B in 2030.
- Seeing more valuations required for properties with good BREEAM ratings etc. and demand from many professional services to occupy these types of units under their CSR. Obtaining evidence is more limited atm to support generally higher rents
Can you explain the current rules under MEES and the future changes facing Landlords?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards 2015
As of 1st April 2023, tenants can no longer legally be in occupation of a property with an F or G rating where the property is not exempt from an EPC.
Increases:
C rating on 1 April 2027
B rating on 1 April 2030
Do Landlords have to undertake improvements if the property has an EPC rating of F or G?
Not if the property qualifies for an exemption:
- Place of worship
- Low energy efficient building (Warehouse with no heating/air conditioning)
- Temporary buildings
- Some Listed Buildings
- Tenancies less than 6 months or exceeding 99 years.
“Qualifying improvements” if LL has taken all actions possible to improve efficiency
- Permissable - consent not given for alterations
- Appropriate - reduce value of 5%
- Cost effective - 7 year rule
What sustainable practices do you employ?
- Printing only when necessary
- Car sharing
- Recycling
- Using re-usable water bottles
- Minimising waste where possible
What sustainable practices does your firm employ?
- Recycling cardboard, paper and plastics
- Energy efficient lighting (sensors)
- Incentive to have electric company cars
- Cloud based systems to reduce printing
How do we act as sustainability advocates as RICS members?
What RICS guidance exists in relation to sustainability?
Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice
3rd edition December 2021
Guidance note
Effective 31 January 2022
What is COP27?
COP is the Conference of Parties and is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
The November 2022 meeting was the 27th held in Egypt.
What is your understanding of the Climate Change Act 2008?
Legally binding framework to tackle climate change.
It imposed targets to cut greenhouse emissions compared with 1990 levels 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
What would you consider in relation to the Environmental Pillar of Sustainability?
Environmental
- Climate Change
- Global Warming
- Reuse
- Repurpose
- Recycling
- Pollution
- Resilience
What would you consider in relation to the Social Pillar of Sustainability?
Social
- Health
- Social equity
- Human rights
- Working conditions
- Social responsibility
- Labour rights
What would you consider in relation to the Economic Pillar of Sustainability?
Economic
- Resources (Human & Material)
- Long term conservation of resources
- Optimal use
- Use of natural resources
- Safeguard and sustain
- Recovery & Recycling
What enforcement exists in relation to EPCs?
Trading standards
Fines = 5% RV subject to a min £500 and max £5000
What sustainable initiatives are being implemented by RICS?
RICS SKA - An RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments.
VALUE THE PLANET campaign to promote the preservation of the planet and a more sustainable longer-term approach through the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
RICS Responsible Business Framework - create a level-playing field for RICS members and firms to encourage their clients to adopt sustainable solutions that minimise harm and deliver balanced economic, social and environmental benefits.
What do you know about the Energy Act 2011?
The Energy Act provides legislation to enable increased implementation of energy efficiency measures for commercial (including all non-domestic property) and residential property.
- The Green Deal
- Private Rented Sector - MEES
- Energy Company Obligations
Can you name some renewable energy sources?
- Geothermal
- Hydro power
- Solar power
