Sustainability

Question 1

What is net zero carbon?

Answer 1

The balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Question 2

How is net zero carbon achieved?

Answer 2

When the amount of greenhouse gasses produced is no more than the amount removed.

• The Climate change act 2008 (amended in 2019) to require net zero carbon by 2050.
• Goal to remove 78% of emissions by 2030
• In Nov 2020, the government introduced a 10 point plan to address the issue

Question 3

What are carbon emissions?

Answer 3

Carbon dioxide emissions – comes from burning of fossil fuels e.g. petrol, coil and oil

Question 4

How can you make a building more sustainable?

Answer 4

• Green roof
• Use of green, sustainable, renewable materials
• Good use of natural daylight (larger windows)
• Sustainable building technologies:
  o Motion sensor lighting
  o Solar panels
  o Smart meters

Question 5

What is ESG?

Answer 5

Environmental, social and governance

Question 6

When is an EPC required?

Answer 6

• For all commercial buildings over 50 SQ M
• Let for a period of over 6 months
• Sold

Question 7

When are buildings exempt from having an EPC?

Answer 7

• Has no heating
• Religious buildings
• Temporary buildings
• Buildings due to be demolished
• Resi buildings not occupied for more than 4 months a year

Question 8

What is included in an EPC?

Answer 8

• Address of property and floor area
• Reference number
• Estimation of energy costs
• Energy performance rating from A+ to G

Question 9

How long is an EPC valid for?

Answer 9

10 years

Question 10

What are the penalties?

Answer 10

• Residential: £200 fixed penalty
• Commercial: fine between £500 and £5,000

Question 11

What is MEES?

Answer 11

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards 2015

• Requires minimum EPC rating of E to let a property from April 2018

Question 12

What are the penalties?

Answer 12

Depends on how long the breach has lasted. Can range from £2,000 to £50,000.

Question 13

What are the potential changes to MEES?

Answer 13

• EPC rating of C by 2027
• EPC rating of B by 2030

Question 14

What is BREAAM?

Answer 14

• Voluntary environmental assessment tool to rate new buildings
• Rates the impact of the building on the environment based on energy consumption, water use, waste management, etc
• 5 ratings from Pass to Outstanding

Question 15

What is a green lease?

Answer 15

Lease with obligations for LLs and TTs to maintain and improve the environmental performance of the building

Question 16

Where does the RICS reference sustainability?

Answer 16

• Rules of Conduct (3.10)
• Red Book Global – VPGA 8
• Sustainability and ESG Guidance in Commercial Property Valuation and Strategic Advice (3rd edition) 2021
• Training

Question 17

Any current issues?

Answer 17

• Health and wellbeing of building occupants has become a key sustainability issue - some developers using WELL Building Standard

Question 18

When the property is on the market, how long does the agent have to commission the EPC?

Answer 18

Needs to be done within 7 days of marketing by the agent