Tell me about the UKs Net zero goal?
Climate change act 2008, amended in 2019.
Achieve net zero by 2050.
Interim target of 78% by 2030.
UK has only reached a third of this target.
Priority action: phase out gas boilers
Two key aspects for net zero targets on buildings?
Common measurement approach, net zero building standard 2024.
A framework within which to reach net zero carbon, UKGBC has a framework addressing this issue, which ranks necessary actions in order.
What commerical buildings require an EPC?
All commercial buildings that are 50sqm or more.
When newly built/ sold/ let for min than 6 months and less than 99 yrs.
Newly refurbed / heating, air con altered.
Exemptions for EPC?
Listed buildings.
Temporary buildings.
Religious buildings.
Due to be demolished.
No heating
Not occupied for more than 4 months a year.
EPC requirements for marketing?
Must be commissioned within 7 days of the commencement of the marketing.
Agents are responsible for procuring EPCs.
Online marketing must have link to EPC.
How long is an EPC valid?
10 years unless altered.
Fines for not having an EPC?
£500 up to £5,000
What’s the legislation for MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, 2015
MEES requirements?
The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 require a minimum EPC rating of Level E to let a building from 1st April 2018.
Implementation of MEES for non resi buildings?
New leases from April 2018
All existing leases for resi from 2020 and comm 2023
MEES exemptions?
Building doesn’t need an EPC.
Industrial unit with low energy demand.
Tenancy is less than 6 months or more than 99 yrs.
Not feasible to improve rating even if payback of 7 years or more.
When it can be proven improvements will devalue property by more than 5%.
When 3rd party consent from tenant, landlord or planning authority is refused.
How long do exemptions last?
4 years.
Exemptions must be pre-registered on the local authority.
What are the non compliance penalties of MEES?
Policed by local authority
If breach is less than 3 months - up to £10K or 10% of the rateable value with a max penalty of £50K.
If breach is more than 3 months - up to £10K or 20% of the rateable value with a max penalty of £150K.
Difference between MEES and EPC?
MEES is a regulation.
EPC is a rating.
What are the potential changes to MEES ?
Government is reviewing a consultation, may be minimum EPC rating of B for all new tenancies by 2030.
How long do exemptions last?
4 years.
Exemptions must be pre-registered on the local authority.
What’s the Scottish system for EPC?
Assessment of energy performance of non-domestic buildings regulations 2016
What’s the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
It’s a requirement to measure total energy consumption across buildings, transport, and industrial activities - every 4 yrs.
Conduct energy auditory to identify cost effective energy recommendations.
Report compliance to the environment agency.
Who does the energy savings opportunity scheme apply to?
Scheme that is mandatory for large UK businesses that employs over 250 or had an annual turnover more than £44mil.
What is the Heat Network Regulation 2014, Energy Act 2023 and Heat Networks regulations 2025
Relations to provision of communal heating systems in multi occupied commercial scheme and to district heating schemes.
What is the Climate Change Levy?
UK tax on business energy use aimed at cutting consumption and emissions.
Its added to non domestic users energy bills.
It raises c1.9 billion per year.
What are display energy certificates?
They show the actual energy use of a large public building in the UK.
Increases transparent and drives energy efficiency, unlike like EPC it reflects real performance.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
UK rule since 2024 requiring new developments to increase biodiversity by at late 10%.
Gains must be secured for 30 years.
In short: developments must leave nature better off than before.
Tell me about the key areas of the RICS Sustainability Report 2024?
Trends: increase demand for green buildings.
Barriers: high upfront cost, skills gap, weak policy support.
RICS calls for: mandatory whole life carbon assessment, better training and stronger, clearer policies.
Key message: progrsss is happening but too slowly.
