Australia has taken a bold step towards sustainability by repurposing its tallest building instead of demolishing it. The Capitol Grand building was turned into a more sustainable structure and saved an estimated 5,700 tons of CO2 emissions through a contest called Upcycle-a-Skyscraper.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) in collaboration with Lendlease and Arcadis came up with the idea of the contest. Architects and engineers from all over the world were challenged to find creative ways to transform the building into a more sustainable structure.

Bates Smart, an Australian firm, won the contest with a proposal to repurpose the existing structure and add green spaces and renewable energy sources. The building now has solar panels, wind turbines, and a green roof that reduces the building's carbon footprint and improves its energy efficiency.

The Upcycle-a-Skyscraper contest is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating sustainable solutions. By repurposing existing structures, we can reduce waste and save valuable resources while also reducing our impact on the environment.

The success of the contest serves as an inspiration to other countries and developers around the world to prioritize sustainability in their building projects. With the threat of climate change, it is more important than ever to find innovative ways to reduce our carbon emissions and protect our planet.