France to Require Green Roofs for Commercial Buildings

"Last Thursday, France passed legislation that new commercial buildings are required to have green roofs," reports Matt Shaw following the initial report of the new regulations by Agence France-Presse.

Shaw adds: "That's right —  in order to decrease the environmental impact of new construction, new buildings in commercial zones in France must have either rooftop plants or solar panels. These rooftop gardens not only insulate the building with their thermal mass, but they also filter water and help prevent excess runoff and storm water overflows."

The "partial coverage" required by the final version of the law came as a compromise with activists who sought more complete coverage. France follows in the footsteps of the city of Toronto, Canada, Switzerland, and the city of Melbourne, Australia. Shaw notes that the latter has created the "Growing Green Guide" that provides insights for how local governments can develop such requirements into building codes.