Learn more about the European Commissions’ new guidance document on climate-resilient building practices and the multiple roles of green roofs and walls.  

In the world of sustainable architecture, stormwater driven living walls are a revolutionary green building practice. Discover Enni Headquarters in Moers, Germany, with its remarkable 650 sqm living wall, ingeniously irrigated by harvested stormwater. Learn about the smart systems, underground reservoirs, and interdisciplinary collaborations making this green oasis a symbol of urban sustainability.

The European Union’s draft Nature Restoration Law contains binding targets for the greening of the EU’s ecosystems and its cities for 2040 and 2050. Its very ambitious and progressive but it is facing an uphill battle to become law and upcoming elections are complicating matters. 

New developments in the European Parliament are supportive of green infrastructure and now must pass National government approval.

This report describes the continued observation of the plant development on a green roof on a retrofit building in Berlin from 1986 to 2019. This project symbolizes a shift in the urban planning paradigm in post-war Berlin away from demolishing blocks of the housing that survived World War II to gradual renovation of the remaining historic rented courtyard buildings.

A great review of multiple policy changes proposed recently by the World Green Infrastructure Network to the European Union (EU) to support the increased utilization of green infrastructure in the built environment throughout Europe.

This article provides an overview of various policy initiatives underway by the European Commission that may support greater green infrastructure investment, in response to severe climate change impacts experienced throughout Europe this summer.

The Polish Green Roof and Wall Industry is thriving under a series of new national and local funding programs and regulations.

Dusty Gedge explains how new policies enacted in England promise to improve biodiversity by measuring the biodiversity related impacts of development and requiring a net gain in biodiversity – good news for green roofs.

Back in May 2020, the European Union presented its biodiversity strategy for 2030 – a comprehensive plan to protect nature, reverse the degradation of ecosystems and put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030.

Dr. Stephan Brenneisen, the father of green roof and biodiversity research discusses how to design green roofs for biodiversity, green roof policy in Basel Switzerland and his future plans.

The European Solar Rooftops Initiative presents a unique opportunity to maximize the impact for cities and citizens promoting the combination of green infrastructure and solar installations on every rooftop and impervious surface where it is economically and technically feasible.

Promulgated on August 24, 2021, the Climate and Resilience Act includes article 101 that strengthens and expands previous laws in favor of implementing green roofs. The French government is taking these additional steps so that green roofs can be implemented more widely, particularly to promote the acceptance of biodiversity and the fight against climate change.

The European Union’s new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive falls short when it comes to the integration of living architecture, despite widespread public support for having more nature in cities and more government action on climate change.

Green roof pioneer Germany has a green roof market that continues to grow. The building greening sector already provides thousands of jobs - and this employment trend is increasing in line with the growth. Supportive policy and new trends featuring integrated water management and solar PV integration continue to drive the industry.

In cities, we can reverse climate change trends if we renature urban areas. By interweaving green infrastructure within the built environment, we can tackle some of the effects of human-induced warming locally. At the same time, we can limit further urbanization, which will increase the severity of heatwaves as well as precipitation and resulting runoff intensity.

With 4,500 square meters (over 48,000 square feet) of grass and 50 olive trees planted above commercial space, the urban rehabilitation of this square has completely transformed this important public space, creating an attraction for both tourists and residents.

The European Commission recently launched an online public consultation on the revision of the EU rules on waste water treatment. Addressing the shortcomings of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive would encourage further green infrastructure use in Europe.

The new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change sets out the pathway to prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change on Europe. The strategy recognizes the multiple benefits of green roofs and walls, and includes nature-based solutions.