---
title: Green Roof Development Soars in Cities
description: Green roof initiatives are taking foot in many cities around the world, as efforts to stem the effects of climate change rise to global prominence.
image: https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/Blog%20Art/aerial-view-of-green-rooftops-in-city-setting.jpg
---

[Skip to Main Content](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities#main_content) [Skip to Sidebar](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities#blog_sidebar) [Skip to Recent Articles](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities#recent_articles) [Skip to Footer](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities#contentinfo)

[![American Organic Energy Logo](https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/2019Mockup/Logo/american-organic-energy-logo.png?noresize)](https://www.usbiopower.com)

[Green Roofs](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/topic/green-roofs)

 Published by [American Organic Energy](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/author/american-organic-energy) on February 10, 2021

# Green Roof Development Soars in Cities

 Green roof initiatives are taking foot in many cities around the world, as efforts to stem the effects of climate change rise to global prominence.

![aerial view of green rooftops in city setting](https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/Blog%20Art/aerial-view-of-green-rooftops-in-city-setting.jpg)

 

As more urban development turns toward the eco-conscious, cities worldwide have begun to implement measures requiring both new and existing buildings to work green roofs into their blueprints.

The New York City Council’s [recent passage of the Climate Mobilization Act](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roofs-grants-nyc-climate-mobilization-in-action), highlighted by Local Law 97, underscores the renewed focus on clean energy infrastructure, greenhouse gas reduction, and widespread improvements to ecosystem services through green roof initiatives. If successful, projections estimate the elimination of 80 percent of carbon emissions by the year 2050.

 

### Nationwide Efforts to Develop Green Roofs

Similar [measures are being pushed forward in cities nationwide](https://www.cambridgeday.com/2020/12/02/we-cant-afford-green-roofs-law-to-stay-dormant/), notably in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where a petition had been brought to the city clerk for a vote on the council’s agenda in early 2021. It proposes, in part, “To promote environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient design and development practices in new construction and renovation of buildings in the city [and] encourage the incorporation of specific design features that will improve the sustainability and energy-efficiency of buildings.”

As is the case in most major American cities, buildings and construction are currently responsible for more than a third of Cambridge’s carbon emissions, a figure which has not been actively addressed to date. This proposal would require new and existing buildings of more than 20,000 square feet to incorporate vegetative and/or bio-solar components on rooftops, an effort which will help cool heat islands by providing an added layer of insulation and increase energy efficiency.

Additionally, the inclusion of native plants is designed to supply urban habitats for pollinators—a feature currently lacking in many city environments. Vegetable gardens, as well, have been proposed as a method of addressing the issue of food insecurity, providing additional social, nutritional, and economic benefits. 

 

### International Initiatives Put New Spin on Urban Dev

Green roof initiatives are [not limited to the domestic front](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201118141648.htm). The United Kingdom has also jumped on the bandwagon, pledging to build 300,000 new energy-efficient homes each year to reduce the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon that causes urban areas to be significantly warmer than their surrounding rural counterparts, particularly during the evening hours.

While the U.K. has implemented a variety of green cover in the form of trees, grassland and green roofs, the former have been found most effective in reducing temperature spikes, while providing shade to surfaces and positively influencing the aerodynamic mixing of air in the atmosphere.

 

### Swiss Model Stands Out on World Stage

Other nations have taken similarly unique approaches to green roof construction. Where the American model largely consists of ice cube-like trays sandwiched between layers of plastic sheeting and synthetic fibrous mats, topped with an engineered growing medium and pre-grown sedum carpet, models such as one widely championed in Switzerland utilize a simple layer of straw or China reed, topped with native soil from the site (sometimes mixed with lava rock or gravel), and planted with a wildflower seed mixture.

The main driver is biodiversity, designed to create a lasting ecology by providing habitats for native plants, birds, and other wildlife that will make it thrive indefinitely. By attempting to [recreate a previously existing habitat through integration](https://www.greenroofs.com/2020/11/19/tbt-back-to-nature-an-alternative-approach-to-planting-green-roofs/), the Swiss model typically employs technologies that will enable roofs to develop their own respective ecosystems over time. Patience is key, as seeds are planted to determine what will flourish; instant gratification is not the goal, nor is energy savings the primary objective.  

---

Regardless of the motivation or methods utilized, green roof development is widely becoming a necessity in cities around the world, as urban councils recognize the numerous benefits they bring to the landscape. While the initial costs associated with implementing these changes are substantial, the [subsequent savings](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/climate-savings-outweighs-cost-factor-in-green-new-deal)—both economically and environmentally—are priceless. 

**To learn more about **[**green roofs**](https://www.usbiopower.com/green-roofs)** and their beneficial effects, **[**contact American Organic Energy**](https://www.usbiopower.com/contact)**.**

[![Wholesale Quote CTA with image of Home with Beautiful Landscaping](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2981942/ee0cebe8-bf16-497c-ab2f-5f18ddf8817a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2981942/ee0cebe8-bf16-497c-ab2f-5f18ddf8817a)

[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2981942/571f3526-184d-49f1-b3e1-fe94db7f50b8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2981942/571f3526-184d-49f1-b3e1-fe94db7f50b8)

[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2981942/917dae7a-5b7a-42cd-8223-d868c54e784d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2981942/917dae7a-5b7a-42cd-8223-d868c54e784d)

#### Need more information about a product or how to use it? We’d love to hear from you.

## Recent Articles

### [![](https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/Blog%20Art/food-waste-on-land.jpg) June 27, 2023 3 minute read Viridi Partners with American Organic Energy on Waste-to-RNG Project American Organic Energy is partnering with Viridi Energy and a variety of other funding partners to develop one of the largest food waste-to-renewable natural gas projects in the United States.](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/viridi-partners-with-american-organic-energy-on-waste-to-rng-project)

### [![](https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/Blog%20Art/charles-vigliotti-holding-award-for-citizens-campaign-environment-event.jpg) December 22, 2022 3 minute read Charles Vigliotti Honored at CCE's Environmental Equinox Awards Gala American Organic Energy's cutting edge anaerobic digester facility is expected to be completed in 2023.](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/charles-vigliotti-honored-at-cces-environmental-equinox-awards-gala)

### [![](https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/food%20scraps.jpg) February 16, 2022 3 minute read Food Scraps Law Mandates NY Businesses Donate or Compost As global food waste soars, local initiatives take effect to mitigate climate change and food insecurity in the New York metro area.](https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/food-scraps-law-mandates-ny-businesses-donate-or-compost)

[Back To Blog](https://www.usbiopower.com/blog)

#### We are 100% committed to the crucial imperative of sustainability.

[Contact Us](https://www.usbiopower.com/contact)

![LI Compost Logo next to American Organic Energy Logo](https://www.usbiopower.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2019Mockup/Logo/licompost-aoe-logo.png?width=600&name=licompost-aoe-logo.png)   
Providing End-to-End Sustainable Solutions for the New York Region

#### Corporate Headquarters

100 Urban Avenue  
Westbury, NY 11590   
Phone: [516.334.6600](tel:5163346600)   
Fax: [516.338.4773](tel:5163384773)

#### AOE Recycling Facility

445 Horseblock Road  
Yaphank, NY 11980   
Phone: [631.289.7260](tel:631-289-7260)   
Fax: [631.289.1077](tel:631-289-1077)

[**](https://www.facebook.com/americanorganicenergy/) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/27017533/) [**](mailto:info@usbiopower.com)

© 2026 American Organic Energy 

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "address" : {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "",
    "addressLocality" : "Westbury,",
    "addressRegion" : "NY",
    "postalCode" : "11590",
    "streetAddress" : "100 Urban Avenue, "
  },
  "alternateName" : "Long Island Compost",
  "description" : "Green roof initiatives are taking foot in many cities around the world, as efforts to stem the effects of climate change rise to global prominence.",
  "email" : "[info@usbiopower.com]",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : "700",
    "url" : "https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/AOE-OpenGraph.jpg",
    "width" : "700"
  },
  "logo" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2981942/Usbiopower%20April%202017/Images/AmericanOrganicEnergy-LogoF.png",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "name" : "American Organic Energy",
  "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/americanorganicenergy", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-organic-energy" ],
  "telephone" : "516-334-6600",
  "url" : "http://www.usbiopower.com"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "name" : "American Organic Energy"
  },
  "dateModified" : "February 10, 2021, 2:00:00 PM",
  "datePublished" : "2021-02-10 14:00:00",
  "description" : "Green roof initiatives are taking foot in many cities around the world, as efforts to stem the effects of climate change rise to global prominence.",
  "headline" : "Green Roof Development Soars in Cities",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://www.usbiopower.com/hubfs/Blog%20Art/aerial-view-of-green-rooftops-in-city-setting.jpg"
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.usbiopower.com/newsroom/green-roof-development-soars-in-cities",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2981942/Usbiopower%20April%202017/Images/AmericanOrganicEnergy-LogoF.png"
    },
    "name" : "American Organic Energy"
  }
}
```