Sustainability

Question 1

What are some relevant Sustainability legislation?

Answer 1

1. Climate Change Act 2008, amended in 2019 - cut carbon emissions by 80% of the 1990 levels, amended to net zero by 2050.
2. Environment Act 2021 - all new developments must increase the biodiversity of the site by a minimum of 10%
3. Climate Change Levy 2019 - tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users (incl. agriculture), renewable energy sources are exempt.

Question 2

What is the surveyors best practice requirements of sustainable?

Answer 2

Environmental clauses in leases, being transparent in occupational use

Question 3

What is a surveyors role regarding sustainability?

Answer 3

• Energy use in builidngs
• MEES and EPCs
• Advice on how net-zero affects the market

Question 4

When is an EPC required?

Answer 4

In renting out a property, an EPC must be at least an E or have a valid exemption. In a sale, EPC’s must be provided unless listed, place of worship, buildings due to be demolished and agricultural buildings.

Question 5

MEES?

Answer 5

Currently E from 2018, from 2023 all buildings had to be back dated, C by 2027 and B 2030

Question 6

What does an EPC contain?

Answer 6

EPC reference number, address, square meterage, technical information, benchmarking information, expiration date.

Question 7

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 7

10 years

Question 8

What are EPC requirements for marketing?

Answer 8

EPC’s must be provided unless listed, place of worship, buildings due to be demolished and agricultural buildings.

Question 9

What is the RICS commitment to sustainability?

Answer 9

• Help decarbonise the environemnt
• Build climate resilience
• Promote/protect biodiversity
• Imbed circular economy principles - preserving what we already have, recyling and reusing.

Question 10

What is Net-Zero?

Answer 10

Reducing carbon emsisions to the point of balance, removing from the atmosphere that which we input

Question 11

What is the Whole Life Carbon Assessment?

Answer 11

How much carbon a builidng will release in its lifecycle

Question 12

What is the UK Target?

Answer 12

To be net-zero by 2050, 78% by 2030

Question 13

What are the key provisions of an EPC?

Answer 13

• High standards of energy consumption
• Provide minimum requirements
• Provide energy certification

Question 14

What is the WELL building standard?

Answer 14

a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.

Question 15

What are some energy efficient construction techniques?

Answer 15

• Green roofs, solar roofs, insulation (hemp)
• Off site manufacture (Triple Bottom Line; saves on waste and number of deliveries, better for health, higher safety and welfare standards, efficient and engineered, providing quality and financial viability)

Question 16

Energy Saving Regulations

Answer 16

Large corporations can measure their energy output and provide reviews

Question 17

Who is responsible for obtaining the EPC in a) marketing and b) renting?

Answer 17

a) The agent, £200 fine for failing to so do, per ad
b) The Landlord, policied by Local Authority, fines up to £5000

Question 18

What percentage of global annual emmissions are produced by the built environment?

Answer 18

30%

Question 19

How is the RICS helping to intriduce sustainability in practice?

Answer 19

• implementing different regulations and standards
• evidence based research
• best practice standards and training
• MPS and EPC

Question 20

What legally binding commitments has the UK government made on carbon emissions, and how was this amended in 2019?

Answer 20

• legally binding commitments to cut carbon emsisions by 80% of the 1990 levels
• amended in 2019 to net sero by 2050

Question 21

What is COP?

Answer 21

Conference of the Parties - main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- COP28 is due to take place at the end of November

Question 22

What were the key takeaways from COP27?

Answer 22

• establishing a dedicated fund for loss and damage (flooding etc)
• Maintain a clear intention to keep 1.5 degrees within reach
• holding businesses and institutions to account
• mobilising more financial support for developing countries
• making the pivot toward implementation

Question 23

What are some Energy Saving Opportunities/Schemes?

Answer 23

• Energy assessment scheme is mandatory for large organisations (large = 250 employees AND turnover of more than £250mil AND balance sheet of £43mil) in the UK. Required to measure total energy consumption across the buildings and industrial activities. Conduct energy audits to identify recommendations, report compliance to EA
• Heat Network Regulations - provide meter readings and billing consumers for their consumption
• CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, replaced by Climate Change Levy in 2019
• Climate Change Levy is a tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users (incl. agricultural), energy from renewable sources are exempt

Question 24

What is BNG?

Answer 24

• Contributing to the recovery of nature, making sure that the habitat is in a better state than before
• Environment Act 2021- all new developments must increase the biodiversity of the site by a minimum of 10%

Question 25

What is BREEAM?

Answer 25

- Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is used to masterplan projects, infrastructure and buildings. - Sets standards for the environmental performance of buildings through the design, specification, construction and operation phases and can be applied to new developments or refurbishment schemes