Latest in: Latest News.
Latest News

Sempergreen: Innovative Flexipanel A2 resists fire and heavy wind loads

SemperGreenwall first living wall system with fire safety certificate A2 in the market. Sempergreen is proud to announce that its living wall system SemperGreenwall has been awarded the fire safety certificate A2-s2-d0. This fire class is often mandatory in high-rise projects. Sempergreen’s living wall system already had the B-s2-d0 certificate. This means that it was already suitable for project-based applications, including use on escape routes. With the addition of the A2-s2-d0 certificate, the SemperGreenwall now also offers a fire-safe solution for high-rise projects. This makes the SemperGreenwall the first living wall system in the market to meet these very strict fire safety requirements. Innovative Flexipanel A2 resists fire and heavy wind loadsA SemperGreenwall is a modular living wall system built from pre-cultivated Flexipanels. These panels are extremely flexible, making the system also applicable to curved surfaces or corner solutions. In order to meet the strict safety requirements that often apply to high-rise projects, the standard Flexipanel has been further developed into the innovative Flexipanel A2. This new Flexipanel is not only resistant to fire, but also to other extreme conditions, such as heavy wind loads. Tested for flashover and combustion valuesThe potential risks posed by fire in high-rise buildings are very high. The building requirements for high-rise projects are therefore extremely strict. In order to obtain the A2-s2-d0 fire safety certificate, Flexipanel A2 has been subjected to the following tests carried out by Fire Safety Expert Efectis. These tests included combustion values and flashovers. This test determines the heat release, flame spread, smoke development and the formation of burning droplets. A test to determine the maximum burning value. The tests have shown that according to the European fire classification (EN 13501-1), Flexipanel A2 barely contributes to the development of a fire and cannot cause melting parts, only a slight development of smoke. Response to market demand for nature-inclusive and climate-adaptive constructionThe SemperGreenwall is the very first living wall system in the market that meets the fire safety requirements for high-rise projects. With the Flexipanel A2 Sempergreen makes it possible for architects and developers to use a fire-safe living wall system for high-rise projects. This answers the market demand for nature-inclusive and climate-adaptive building. Residential tower Eden Tower in Frankfurt first projectThe first orders for high-rise projects with the application of Flexipanel A2 are already being realized this year, including a residential tower no less than 98 meters high in Frankfurt, called Eden Tower. Sempergreen expects many more similar projects to follow. “The impressive 98 meter high residential tower Eden Tower in Frankfurt is the very first high-rise project to be built with a SemperGreenwall that complies with fire class A2-s2-d0.” About Sempergreen® Sempergreen, headquartered in the Netherlands, is the world’s largest grower and supplier of innovative quality solutions for green roofs, living walls and instant ground cover. Sempergreen is driven by the mission to create a green and liveable world for our generation and the next generations. The green solutions from Sempergreen contribute to reducing the effects of climate change and environmental pollution. To keep her ecological footprint as small as possible, Sempergreen operates as much as possible from local nurseries in Europa, North and South America Australia and Asia. The highly motivated team of Sempergreen of over 200 professionals works continuously on the quality of the sustainable products. Together with their customers, Sempergreen is working to make the world a little greener every day. For more information about Sempergreen, please visit www.sempergreen.com. For more information, please contact: Rianne Slootweg, Marketing Manager: rianne.slootweg@sempergreen.com Phone: +31 (0)30 307 8792

Read More »
04/13/2021 No Comments
EU chapter

European Parliament highlights green roofs for climate change adaptation

December 2020 – In a resolution adopted on 17 December the European Parliament recognised the key role of green roofs and walls to minimise the adverse impact of climate change. The resolution says that green roofs and walls can contribute to cooling high urban temperatures, retaining and reusing rainwater and producing food. Urban green infrastructure can also help reduce air pollution, improve the quality of life in cities, reduce risks to human health, and protect biodiversity, including pollinators. MEPs supported any targeted initiatives to seize this potential, including the development of urban strategies and better spatial planning. Moreover, they called for infrastructure such as roads, parking lots, train tracks and power and drainage systems to be made biodiversity and climate-proof. The Parliament’s resolution on adaptation to climate change will provide input on a new EU Adaptation Strategy, expected from the Commission in 2021 as part of the European Green Deal. About usThe EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) aims to increase the awareness of the European Union policymakers about the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, with a specific focus on Building Integrated Vegetative Systems (green roofs and living walls). WGIN brings together national and regional industry associations to promote the development of the green infrastructure industry through training, research, advocacy for new policy, conferences, publications, and promotion.

Read More »
04/12/2021 No Comments
EU chapter

Greener buildings to save energy and reduce emissions

WGIN EU Chapter highlights multiple benefits of greener buildings in its first feedback on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. On 22 February, the European Commission published its Inception Impact Assessment on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requesting stakeholders to share their inputs. The EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Netowk (WGIN) submitted a comprehensive feedback highlighting how green infrastructure like green roofs and walls support the insulation of buildings and therefore contribute to reducing their energy consumption, a key step in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. In addition, vegetated surfaces help reduce CO2 emissions, making buildings carbon sinks and improving air quality in urban areas, while also having a positive impact on citizens’ mental health. Given green roofs and walls’ added value for the energy performance of buildings and beyond, the EPBD revision should introduce a set of mandatory provisions on green infrastructure in new buildings, public buildings (such as hospitals and schools) and large commercial buildings, where technically feasible. Moreover, the European Commission should include mandatory considerations for green roofs and walls on residential buildings undertaking major renovations. “The revision of the EPBD represents a unique opportunity to set green infrastructure as an integral part of the future of buildings across Europe,” said Prof. Manfred Koehler, President of WGIN. “The multiple benefits of green roofs and walls fit perfectly with the goal of the Directive to achieve a decarbonised and highly energy-efficient building stock by 2050”. The Inception Impact Assessment represents the first step in the consultation process of the European Commission on the EPBD. The legislative proposal on the EPBD revision is expected for the end of 2021. Read WGIN feedback here About us The EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) aims to increase the awareness of European Union policymakers about the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, with a specific focus on Building Integrated Vegetative Systems (green roofs and living walls). WGIN brings together national and regional industry associations and renokwn experts to promote the incorporation of urban green infrastructure practice and planning, globally.

Read More »
03/04/2021 No Comments
EU chapter

Multiple benefits of green roofs recognised in EU climate adaptation strategy

On 24 February, the European Commission adopted a new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, setting out the pathway to prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Green roofs and walls feature prominently in the strategy, which fully recognises their multiple benefits for climate adaptation. “Blue-green (as opposed to grey) infrastructures are multipurpose, ‘no regret’ solutions and simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build climate resilience”, it is stated in the document, which adds “Europe needs to leverage more investments in nature-based solutions to generate gains for adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, and health”. The strategy mentions the deployment of nature-based solutions for adaptation among the Commission’s priorities to make adaptation actions “systemic” across the Union, together with integrating adaptation into macro-fiscal policy and local adaptation action. Moreover, the Commission called for strengthened action to “prepare Europe’s building stock to withstand the impacts of climate change”, highlighting that green roofs and walls are key to make sure that “buildings can also contribute to large-scale adaptation, for example through local water retention that reduces the urban heat island effect.” The Commission announced it will support the integration of climate resilience considerations into the criteria applicable to construction and renovation of buildings and critical infrastructure. “The Commission’s recognition of the benefits of green roofs and walls to help make Europe resilient to climate change is excellent news for citizens and the environment. We very much welcome this approach and we hope this will serve as inspiration to governments and local administrations around the world. Green roofs and walls can greatly support climate adaptation efforts and as WGIN we are ready to do our part,” said Prof. Manfred Koehler, President of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN). About us The EU Chapter of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) aims to increase the awareness of European Union policymakers about the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, with a specific focus on Building Integrated Vegetative Systems (green roofs and living walls). WGIN brings together national and regional industry associations to promote the development of the green infrastructure industry through training, research, advocacy for new policy, conferences, publications, and promotion. ContactMatteo Guidimatteo.guidi@wgin.org

Read More »
03/04/2021 No Comments
Latest News

WGIN virtual event: Project collaboration incubator

With great pleasure WGIN invites you to the first WGIN open virtual meeting March 26th, 2021: WGIN Project Collaboration Incubator. The year 2020 has almost completely deprived us of the possibility for direct exchange of experiences and face to face sharing of news from our countries. The mission of WGIN is to promote knowledge development and implementation of green infrastructure (GI), especially green roofs and walls, in all cities of the world. Increasing the pace of urban greening can be facilitated through various programs of support, both at the level of knowledge transfer and practical implementation of green infrastructure. Organizations associated in WGIN differ in structure and origin. Together we have comprehensive representation: scientists, representatives of municipal offices, NGOs, architects, landscape architects, contractors, designers and market suppliers of GI products. By combining our knowledge and experience, we can make the world greener! During this WGIN virtual meeting, we aim to discover possibilities for international project cooperation, primarily within Europe. WGIN members and stakeholders will present their organization’s interest and opportunities for international cooperation in projects promoting and implementing green infrastructure. Programs for financial support from the European Union will be presented. WGIN anticipates that similar programs will be launched in the coming years, not only in the EU, but worldwide. By mutually sharing information about our interests, competence, capacity and experience, we can identify possibilities for project collaboration. Project themes identified from the first WGIN Project Collaboration Incubator will set the stage for follow up meetings and discussions in smaller groups on project relevant topics, for example: biodiversity, urban farming, energy efficiency of buildings, health of city dwellers, rainwater retention, prevention and mitigation of urban heat island effect etc. Please note that WGIN’s role in the incubator is to bring potential project actors together. WGIN doesn’t normally take a project leadership role, but individual WGIN members and board members may, on behalf of other organizations, assume various project participation roles. All meeting attendees will be asked on the event registration form to provide information about their project ideas and potential roles. Time /place: 10:00 – 11:30 CET, March 26th, 2021 / GoToMeeting (link will be sent to attendees) Meeting hosts: Marta Weber – Siwirska – WGIN board member. Chairperson, Polish Green Roof Association David Brasfield – WGIN board member. Chairperson, Norwegian Association for Green Infrastructure Please register for your free attendance at the virtual Collaboration Incubator meeting here and please do forward this invitation to other potential GI project collaborators within your network.

Read More »
03/04/2021 No Comments
Latest News

World Congress of Building Greening 2021

Join us in Berlin! The event has been postponed to 2022. World Congress of Building Greening 2022May 10 – 12, 2022 Theme: Building GreeningVenue: Mercure Hotel MOA Berlin; Stephanstraße 41; 10559 Berlin, GER Please find more information here:https://www.bugg-congress2022.com/en/about.html The World Green Building Congress 2021 in Berlin is a multi-day event on greening buildings (green roofs, facades and interior greening) with the accompanying issues (including urban climate, rainwater management, sustainability, future city). At the end of the congress it is possible to take part in excursions to special projects. The World Congress is organized by the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün eV (BuGG) with the support of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN). The largest congress on “the greening of buildings” held in Europe so far, offers: The WGIN Congress is globally acknowledged as the peak event for green infrastructure dissemination on:- Hosting a World Congress in 2022: We WELCOME all bidding proposals to host our World Congress. The process is simple and we are here to help and support your decision.We receive all applications to host our World Congress one month prior to our AGM in Berlin on 27th September 2021. Nations that bid will be considered by the WGIN board prior to a final decision of acceptance. CONTACT the WGIN Vice President for further information: matt.dillon@wgin.org

Read More »
03/04/2021 No Comments
Load More

Follow us on our social channels.

Follow us on the channel that best suits you to receive our latest updates!

Twitter Facebook-f Linkedin Youtube