During this article we run through some practice questions and answers for the RICS APC Sustainability Competency which is mandatory for all candidates up to Level 1. This means that all candidates are required to have a basic knowledge of the principles of sustainability within the development and construction process and how sustainability legislation can affect the built environment. From my experience of helping colleagues pass their APC over the last 9 years, I compiled the following questions & answers practice based on past interviews and really hope this helps candidates feel better prepared for their final assessment.
Question) Please explain your understanding of what happened at COP29?
Answer) COP29 which stands for Conference of the Parties 29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024 and focused on addressing the climate finance gap through the loss and damage fund, designed to support vulnerable nations. Some progress was made on working towards a global carbon market where the buying and selling of carbon emissions is facilitated to help reduce global emissions. This market would incentivise lower global emissions for companies, countries and other entities. By putting a price on carbon, it incentivises industries to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies, helping to reduce the global carbon footprint. Progress was also made on the NCQG or New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance to replace the previous $100bn Goal. This is intended to ensure that sufficient financial resources are mobilised to support developing countries to address the impacts of loss and damage from climate-related disasters. A consensus on the amount and scope of the funds required was discussed at COP29.
Question) What is meant by the term Global Carbon Market?
Answer) This refers to an international system that allows the buying and selling of carbon emissions, allowances or credits. It is designed to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon to incentivise countries, companies and business entities to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies and help to reduce the global carbon footprint.
Question) Please provide a high-level overview of the RICS Sustainability Report?
Answer) The RICS Sustainability Report 2024 provides a detailed analysis of the current state of sustainability within the built environment sector. The key findings included identification of an increase in market demand for green buildings however the adoption of sustainable building practices remains limited. High upfront costs and insufficient government incentives form significant barriers to widespread implementation of greener building methods. The report highlighted a need for consistent sustainability measurement across projects. Tools like the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) standard aim to address this issue by providing a unified framework for assessing and reducing carbon emissions throughout a building’s lifecycle. The RICS emphasises that the level of commitment and action needs to increase substantially to achieve 2050 net-zero targets. The RICS continues to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability policies and standards globally. Its involvement in initiatives like the UN’s Buildings Breakthrough highlights the importance of harmonising sustainability standards worldwide.
Question) Please explain your understanding of the acronym MEES?
Answer) MEES stands for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. These are regulations in the UK that set minimum energy performance requirements for buildings, specifically for privately rented properties. Under MEES, properties in the private rental sector must meet at least an E rating on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be legally rented out. If a building is rated lower than an E, landlords are required to improve the energy efficiency of the property before renting it out, unless specific exemptions apply. The MEES regulations are part of the UK government’s broader environmental and sustainability agenda, aiming to ensure that properties are energy efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Question) Please explain your understanding of the term Urban greening factor?
Answer) The urban greening factor is a tool that evaluates and measures the amount of urban greening (vegetation cover and planting around buildings) to aid the appropriate planning of greening on future developments. The aim is to increase the amount of green cover around buildings and support its consideration at the design and outset of developments. Councils can develop their own targets with the plan for London being a target score of 0.4 for residential developments and 0.3 for commercial developments.
Question) Please explain your understanding of the term sustainability?
Answer) Sustainability as a principle aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Key principles of sustainability were set out within the Brundtland Commission Report titled ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987 which identified the need for sustainable development based around environmental protection, economic growth and social equity. It called for conservation of the environment and resources by gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies.
Question) What are the key principles of sustainability?
Answer) Key principles of sustainability are focused around social, economic and environmental factors. From a social standpoint, there is a requirement for society to build healthy communities with a sufficient number and diverse range of buildings for housing, commercial entities and infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. Economic factors also form part of the key principles of sustainability as there is a demand to build strong, responsive and competitive economies which requires the efficient use of availble land which is in limited supply. Environmental factors also play a key role in sustainability as there is a demand to enhance of our built environment sector without damaging the natural spaces and historical buildings that surround these.
Question) What are the key pieces of legislation that affect sustainability in construction?
Answer) The Agricultural Land Act enables land to be acquired for a particular purpose for example to control pests and weeds, for use as woodlands or to support agricultural activities. The Building Act is the primary piece of UK Legislation that enables the Building Regulations to be enforced. This is to assist in the conservation of fuel and power, to prevent waste, misuse or contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe. The Clean Air Act provides local authorities within England to introduce measures in order to control air pollution. The Climate Change Act is a legally binding framework to tackle climate change and imposes targets to cut greenhouse emissions when compared against 1990 levels.
Question) What are the Building Regulations that relate to sustainability in construction?
Answer) The Building Regulations Part L relate to Conservation of Fuel and Power to prevent waste, contamination of water and to ensure those in and around buildings are kept safe. The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations requires that EPC’s are produced for dwellings and non-dwellings which quantifies the energy efficiency of buildings and is required when buildings are built, sold or rented.
Sustainability Video Mock Interview
Question) What are the different forms of taxation relating to sustainability?
Answer) 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) What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?
Answer) BREEAM sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation. BREEAM Stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. The assessment is undertaken by a licensed assessor based on energy, land & ecology, water, health & wellbeing, pollution, materials and waste management. BREEAM applies to new and refurbishment projects, domestic and non-domestic with the ratings made up of outstanding, excellent, very good, good, pass and unclassified. SKA Ratings are an RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments. The scheme assesses fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria known as good practice measures. SKA can act as an alternative to BREEAM which have higher costs in comparison.
Question) What is the Paris Agreement?
Answer) 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 reduce their climate pollution. It also creates a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of each individual countries progress.
Question) What is your understanding of the term ‘Green Roofs’?
Answer) A green roof is a roof covering that is partially or completely covered with vegetation that is placed over a waterproof membrane. Additional layers such as drainage layers, irrigation systems or root barriers may also be placed over the membrane. Rooftop ponds are an alternative form of green roof which are used to treat grey water. The vegetation, soil, drainage layer, root barriers and irrigation system are typically the key components of a green roof. Advantages of Green Roofs are that they absorb rainwater, provide extra insulation, increase biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife, are aesthetically pleasing and lower urban air temperatures.
Question) What are Photovoltaics and how do they work?
Answer) Photovoltaics allow the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Sunlight contains energy known as photons. When photos hit solar modules within the solar panel they cause electrons to flow through the bottom layer. The movement of electrons generates electricity that flows to an inverter. The inverter converts DC electricity into AC that is then used to power the building.
Question) What is a soakaway and how do they work?
Answer) Soakaways offer a means of surface water drainage attenuation. They consist of large holes or pits that receive surface water from a drainage pipe. The soakaway allows the collected surface water to gradually infiltrate through the soil.
Question) Can you explain your understanding of the term carbon neutral?
Answer) Carbon neutrality is to have a balance between the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere in carbon sinks. This is an important measure of the impact that businesses and projects have on the environment and global warming. To date no artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere at the levels required to offset global warming.
Question) What is an EPC?
Answer) Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed in the United Kingdom. Once obtained an EPC is valid for 10 years. The most efficient built assets typically have the lowest fuel bills and are in band A. EPC’s are rated on a scale of A-G. The energy efficiency of the built asset along with the potential efficiency following improvements are identified. The EPC will also show the amount of CO2 emissions produced by the property in tonnes and will advise the amount this could be reduced by.
Question) What sustainable initiatives are you aware of that are being implemented by the RICS?
Answer) The RICS SKA ratings encourages green codes of practice for commercial properties. RICS has also launched the ‘Value the Planet’ campaign and committed to forming a climate change expert panel to implement the UN’s sustainable development goals. RICS has launched a Responsible Business Report filled with solutions for companies to operate in a greener capacity, regardless of the firm’s size. This includes introducing higher recycling rates and reducing energy, transport and water use where possible.
Question) What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?
Answer) Environmental risks of construction sites can include:-
- Risks of Water Pollution.
- Air and Noise Pollution.
- High Energy Consumption and carbon emissions.
- Risk of land contamination.
- Damage to wild habitats.
- High Wastage production into landfill.
- Release of dangerous gases and chemicals.
Sustainability Questions & Answers Free PDF
To receive a PDF copy of the above questions and answers via e-mail please click here
RICS APC Q&A STUDY GUIDES
