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.

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.

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.