This technical briefing brought together leading industry figures to explore the initial findings from our forthcoming analysis with Arup on the embodied carbon performance of central London’s leading office projects. Speakers highlighted the substantial progress made in reducing embodied carbon over the past decade, while acknowledging that achieving further cuts at the same pace and scale is becoming increasingly difficult as projects grow more complex and data compilation continues to improve.
Discussion focused on the importance of early optioneering and design stage decision making to reduce upfront carbon, alongside greater consideration of building longevity, adaptability and reuse. Speakers also emphasised the need to look beyond carbon metrics and spreadsheets, recognising that buildings are created for people and that well-designed, high-quality buildings are often best placed to adapt over time and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.
Our speakers included:
- Tamanna Abul, Sustainability Consultant, Arup
- Mel Allwood, CPA Planning & Sustainability Committee & Director – Sustainable Buildings, Arup
- Samantha Carlsson, WPA Sustainability Technical Working Group & Senior Sustainability Manager, Derwent London
- Kirsty Draper, WPA Sustainability Technical Working Group Chair & Head of Sustainability – UK Agency, JLL
- Oliver Hall, WPA Sustainability Technical Working Group & Partner, Make Architects
- Gregor Haran, WPA Sustainability Technical Working Group & Sustainability Manager, Landsec
- Victoria Herring, WPA Sustainability Technical Working Group Vice Chair & Director – Sustainability Programme, Grosvenor Property UK
- Stephen Hill, Associate Director, Arup
- Alexander Morris, CPA Planning & Development Committee & Managing Director, BGO (panel chair)
