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. 

An overview by Scandanavian green roof leaders on the synergies between green roofs and solar photovoltaics and some of the key design considerations required.

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.

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.