Sustainability Flashcards

What does 'BREEAM' stand for in the context of sustainable building assessment?

Answer: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It is the world's leading sustainability assessment method for buildings and infrastructure.

Under UK building regulations, what does an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rate?

Answer: The energy efficiency of a building on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient)

An EPC rates the energy efficiency of a building from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is required when a building is constructed, sold, or let.

What is the UK Government's target year for achieving net zero carbon emissions?

Answer: 2050

The UK Government has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as enshrined in the Climate Change Act 2008 (amended in 2019).

What is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) for commercial property lettings in England and Wales?

Answer: EPC rating of E

Since April 2018, it has been unlawful to let commercial or domestic properties with an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption has been registered.

What does 'embodied carbon' refer to in construction?

Answer: The total carbon emissions associated with the extraction, manufacture, transport, and assembly of building materials

Embodied carbon encompasses all the CO2 emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of building materials, from extraction and manufacturing through to transportation and construction.

What is a 'NABERS' rating?

Answer: A building energy performance rating system originally from Australia, now being adopted in the UK for offices

NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) rates the energy performance of office buildings based on actual energy consumption. The UK has adopted NABERS UK for offices.