Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1533240
46 | M A R C H 2 0 2 5 Green Roofs & Walls P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y ZI N CO C A N A DA /G R H C; T EC H N I C A L I L LUS T R AT I O N CO U RT E S Y H O LC I M EL E VAT E BOOM TIME According to Steven Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, 2024 was a good year for the industry in North America. "Steady growth of between eight to 10 percent is estimated for the sector, as more and more jurisdic- tions pass supportive regulations, financial incentives, and requirements for green roofs on new and existing buildings," says Peck. He adds that the industry has responded to the need for greater rooftop stormwater management to help reduce flooding and the negative impacts of runoff, by introducing a number of technologies designed to slow, retain, and detain stormwater on rooftops. "So-called blue-green roofs can contribute sig- nificantly to improved stormwater management, especially when combined with other green infrastructure like porous paving and bioswales," he says. "We are also seeing a rise in the number of solar green roof integration projects, with green roofs helping to cool solar panels and improving their efficiency, while also providing ballast to hold them securely in place. More and more attention is also being paid to the health benefits of regular access to green space." CLIMATE ADAPTATION & INNOVATION Holcim continues to lead the way with its latest focus on green roofs, building on its recent partnership with ZinCo, a global pioneer in vegetative roofing systems. In 2024, Holcim emphasised the growing importance of green roofs in combating the urban heat island effect, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing stormwater management. According to Holcim, green roofs offer significant benefits, including temperature regulation that can cut air condi- tioning costs by up to 75 percent, and a reduction in local temperatures by as much as 11.3°C, according to recent studies. These living roofs also provide valu- able habitats for urban biodiversity, supporting pollinators and birds while helping mitigate the effects of habitat loss in cities. Green roofs help to cool solar panels and improve their efficiency.