Sustainability

Question 1

What is COP26 and what does COP stand for

Answer 1

• COP is the Conference of the Parties and is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
• The 2021 meeting was the 26th meeting which is why it’s called COP26.

Question 2

What happened at COP26

Answer 2

• At COP26 a newly established Glasgow Financial Alliance was announced for Net Zero carbon emissions of $130 trillion of private capital to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
• The private sector is now under more intense scrutiny from both clients and institutional investors on ensuring net-zero commitments are robust and legitimate.
• There are new requirements for all listed companies in the UK to produce net-zero transition plans by 2023.

Question 3

What is your understanding of sustainability

Answer 3

• To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
  own needs.

Question 4

What are the key principles of sustainability

Answer 4

• Social - Building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings.
• Economical - Build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring sufficient land and right types.
• Environmental: - Contributing towards the protection and enhancement of our natural, built and historic environment.

Question 5

What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring
sustainability?

Answer 5

BREEAM (Life Cycle Assessment).
o Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation.

o BREEAM Stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method.

o Rating are:
 Outstanding.
 Excellent.
 Very Good.
 Good.
 Pass.
 Unclassified.

• SKA Ratings
  o An RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments.

o The scheme assesses fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known

• LEED (Life Cycle Assessment).
  o LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

o It is a USA equivalent of BREEAM.
o Ratings are:-
 LEED Certified.
 Silver.
 Gold.
 Platinum.

• This method reviews embodied aspects of carbon emissions as well as life cycle assessment during
  construction and operation.

Question 6

What is the Paris Agreement

Answer 6

• The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty concerning climate change.
• It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016.
• The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius whilst targeting levels below 1.5 degrees Celsius when compared to pre-industrial levels.
• The agreement commits all major emitting countries to cut their climate pollution.
• It also creates a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of each individual countries
  progress.

Question 7

What is BER

Answer 7

• Building Energy Rating
• Measures Energy Rating of Buildings in Ireland
• A - G
• Exempt
• Small Standalone (50m2)
• Protected Structures
• Religious Buildings

Question 8

What is the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD)

Answer 8

• European Legislations
• Aimed at making buildings more energy efficient
• Goal
• Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in EU. Buildings are the single largest energy users in Europe
• Target
  -Fully decarbonise buildings by 2050
• Measures
• Minimum energy requirements for new builds and renovations. All new buildings from 2021 need to be nearly zero energy
• Energy Performance Certs (EPC) to be issued when Building is sold or rented

Question 9

What is Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)

Answer 9

• Non-profit organisation
• Sustainability of the built environment
• Achieved through the following:
• Collaboration: Bringing together various stakeholders in the industry (universities to construction workers
• Education: training to promote sustainable building
• Advocacy: Lobbying the government
• Innovation: Supporting development of new tech
• Measurement: Creating tools to measure progress

Question 10

What is a LEED Building

Answer 10

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
• Emphasises a buildings environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.
• Focus: Reducing a buildings environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from construction and operation to material selection. And waste reduction
• Benefits: Lower energy and water consumption, improved indoor air quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Certs: Silver, Gold, Platinum
  Based on how many points building collects from meeting criteria.

Question 11

What is WELL Building Standard

Answer 11

• Issued by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
• Focuses on creating buildings that prioritize the health and wellness of occupants
• Looks at factors like air and water quality, lighting, access to healthy food options, and fitness facilities
• Doesn’t have tiers like LEED, but offers different certification paths for new and existing buildings