Sustainability

Question 1

What is BREAM and LEED?

Answer 1

Sustainability labels from third party accreditors.

BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, a globally recognized certification for assessing the sustainability of the built environment, including new buildings, fit-outs, and refurbishments.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that provides a framework for designing, constructing, and operating healthier, more efficient, and cost-saving buildings.

LEED is North America, BREEAM is UK and Europe.
LEED - points based.
BREEAM - assessor scored.

Question 2

What is the target u-value when upgrading insulation to flat roofs?

Answer 2

u-value of 0.12.

Question 3

What are the requirements for EESSH2?

Answer 3

The main requirement of Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing 2 is that all social housing must meet, or be treated as meeting, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band B by the end of December 2032.

Question 4

What is the target u-value when upgrading windows?

Answer 4

u-value of 1.4 for windows, roof windows and doors, 2.1 for rooflights

Question 5

What is the target u-value when upgrading walls?

Answer 5

u-value of 0.17.

Question 6

Give an example of a time you have upgraded windows to improve energy efficiency?

Answer 6

Inverleith Gardens - target u-value of 1.4kw

Question 7

Give an example of a time you have upgraded insulation within roof voids to improve energy efficiency?

Answer 7

Bavelaw Gardens - Upgraded glass fibre insulation to 300mm

Question 8

Give an example of a time you have upgraded insulation within a cavity to improve energy efficiency?

Answer 8

Bavelaw Gardens - Extracted and topped up existing cavity fill. Upgraded glass fibre insulation to 300mm

Question 9

Give an example of a time you have upgraded insulation to a flat roof to improve energy efficiency?

Answer 9

Cameron Crescent - Victorian flat roof, upgraded insulation to achieve 0.12
Marian House - insulation upgrade to felt flat roof.

Question 10

What are the principles of sustainability?

Answer 10

Economic sustainability
Environmental sustainability
Social sustainability

Question 11

Does MEES apply in Scotland?

Answer 11

No but, the Scottish Government has announced plans to introduce similar regulations for domestic private rented properties, with a phased implementation starting in 2028.

Question 12

Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?

Answer 12

Sustainability as a principle aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 13

What are the different forms of taxation relating to sustainability?

Answer 13

Landfill Tax is an environmental tax payable in addition to landfill rates charged by private disposal companies. The tax was introduced as a means to encourage alternative methods of disposal such as recycling. The tax is charged by weight at varying rates depending on whether the waste is inert or active.

Question 14

Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?

Answer 14

Carbon neutrality is to have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere.
This is an important measure of the impact that businesses and projects have on the environment and global warming.

Question 14

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What are the six BREEAM ratings?

Answer 15

Unclassified
Pass
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Outstanding