Latest in: Latest News.

German Association of Building Greening (Bundes-verband Gebäude Grün e.V. – BuGG), together with the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR), has carried out the research project “Inventory and Potential Analysis of Green Roofs” and developed a standardized procedure for the analysis of existing and potential green roofs. The result of the project was the development of a software application that allows a fast and efficient analysis of urban roof surfaces. In view of current climate developments (including overheating and extreme precipitation), green roofs continue to be a focus of attention. Many cities are therefore giving green roofs a particularly high priority in their climate change adaptation plans. A targeted expansion of the green infrastructure on urban roofs is therefore seen by many communities as an important component of future-oriented urban planning. An important basis for the development of local green roof strategies is therefore provided by specific geo data sets, which, in addition to the area and location of existing green roofs, also identify suitable roof areas for subsequent greening. Read the full report here. Image © BuGG e.V.

Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG) provides technical information on Solar Green Roofs. The detailed BuGG technical information “Solar Green Roof” comprises 52 pages, including plant lists, practical examples and is well illustrated with almost 80 illustrations and sample photos. It can be ordered for a nominal fee of 19 euros plus shipping costs: info@bugg.de. Read excerpts from the BuGG technical information “Solar Green Roof” here.   Image © BuGG e.V. 

Aerial view of rooftop garden in urban residential area. ID: 1361273999 22 January 2024 – With the interinstitutional negotiations on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) in full speed, WGIN joined forces with 18 organisations to call upon co-legislators to adopt an ambitious recast of the directive. The signatories, non-profit association, businesses and business associations underlined the opportunity that represents the revision of this 30-year-old legislation to adapt it to modern water challenges. In particular, the letter stresses that many technical advances, such as green infrastructure solutions, have not yet been mainstreamed for the reduction of wastewater treatment needs. Therefore, the signatories call for, among others, “Ensuring a timely introduction of integrated urban wastewater management plans that prioritise green and blue infrastructure to climate-proof cities and reduce pollution from urban wastewaters and runoffs”. The letter comes ahead of the next trilogue meeting on the UWWTD, planned for the 29 January, which is expected to significantly progress negotiations on the revised directive. Read the full letter here.

Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. presents its Market report on Building Greening 2021: Green Roofs, Green Facades and Interior Greening in Germany. Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG) published its first market report about 2020 which comprised an overview of the most important figures on green roofs, facades, and interiors in Germany. In doing so, a reference work has been created that, was used thousands of times by policymakers, industry, construction, the media, universities, and students. With the present market report of 2021, the figures of the building greening market are updated, focusing on the increase of green roofs and facades, and the BuGG City Survey 2021 on municipal subsidy instruments. Read the Market Report on Building Greening 2021. * Excerpted translation of the original German version

Solar panels on a green roof with flowering sedum plants. Green rooftop garden with renewable solar energy system. Groene daktuin. ID: 1984038581 On 15 January 2024, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) approved the trilogue agreement on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with a comfortable majority. EPBD For the first time, the agreed text requires EU countries to consider green roofs when meeting their solar energy on buildings obligation. This is a clear recognition of the potential of biosolar roofs! The text now needs to be approved by the European Parliament’s plenary and EU ministers. Both votes are tentatively scheduled for March 2024. Read the full EPBD text here.