Briefing: Balance – tall buildings, old, new and carbon dioxide: a London perspective

The evolving landscape of tall buildings in London is examined, focusing on their carbon dioxide impact, longevity and adaptability. The challenges faced by ageing skyscrapers like The Gherkin and Tower 42 in maintaining relevance and meeting modern sustainability standards are explored. The importance of balancing embodied carbon dioxide and operational carbon dioxide in building design and construction is also discussed, highlighting recent initiatives in carbon accounting and whole-life carbon assessments. Using case studies of new developments in London's financial district, various approaches to sustainable tall building design are illustrated, including retrofitting existing structures and constructing new, carbon-efficient towers. The conclusion is that tall buildings need to be built with longevity in mind, acknowledging their higher carbon dioxide intensity while recognising their role in meeting urban density requirements.