13 February 2009

Environment Agency - Home

Case study - Green Roofs in London

The Environment Agency has been working in partnership to produce new guidance for developers and councils across London. The Green Roof Toolkit for London was launched in September 2008 at the World Green Roof congress in London.

Green roofs already grace buildings in Deptford Creek, Canary Wharf and Cannon Street Station. Many more are planned for new developments such as Greenwich Peninsula and Battersea Power Station.

Green roofs – which can be planted with vegetation ranging from small shrubs to wild flowers – can help build a better London by:

  • Reducing flood risk by storing rainwater that could run-off and overwhelm drains
  • Creating a better place for both people, wildlife and the environment – naturally insulating buildings (cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter) which can reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
  • Reducing the urban heat island effect (the increased temperature of a built up area compared to its rural surroundings). Regulating temperature in this way can also reduce energy consumption.
  • Encouraging and enhancing biodiversity

Green roofs are a simple and yet effective way of adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. For more information see the green roof tool kit webpage.