New Report Details and Summarizes Energy and Climate Benefits of Green Roofs
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), North America’s industry association for green roofs and walls, and its charitable arm, the Green Infrastructure Foundation (GIF), have released a new report, Green Roofs, Energy, and Climate: A Summary and Review of the Energy and Climate Benefits of Green Roofs.
Green roofs provide energy and climate benefits in many ways:
Moderating heat flow through a building envelope
Improving the output of solar PV panels
Increasing the efficiency of HVAC systems
Reducing the urban heat island effect
Carbon sequestration and avoided GHG emissions
The report details the many benefits of green roofs, explains the mechanisms behind these benefits, provides a review of research in this field, and helps designers and policy-makers identify how to maximize these benefits in their projects and communities.
“Most people are aware of some of the potential energy benefits that green roofs can provide, but a greater understanding of the subject can help designers and policy-makers unlock these benefits, and help green roofs make an important contribution to climate adaptation and mitigation strategies”, said report author Rohan Lilauwala, GRP, Program Manager, GRHC/GIF.
Steven W. Peck, GRP, Hon. ASLA, Founder and President of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities said, “We have barely scratched the surface of the potential of green roofs to provide climate adaptation and mitigation benefits in our communities. We need multi-billion dollar investments in converting rooftops and walls throughout the US and around the world to help us prepare for extreme weather, to manage stormwater, to grow food, and improve our health and well-being. Now is the time to scale up green roofs and walls as this report so clearly demonstrates.”
Read the report, or a summary in the Fall Issue of the Living Architecture Monitor magazine. Join us at https://citiesalive.org for our annual virtual conference November 8-11, 2021.
About
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a non-profit 501(c)(6) professional industry association working to grow the green roof and wall industry throughout North America since 1999. GRHC’s activities include the publishing of the Living Architecture Monitor Magazine, and online training through the Living Architecture Academy.
The Green Infrastructure Foundation (GIF) is the charitable, 501(c)(3) arm of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. GIF partners with communities to shape healthy, resilient, and sustainable places using living green infrastructure.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
