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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.

In Norway, first pilots with biosolar roof projects have been a significant source of inspiration for further uptake & market development, says David Vernon Brasfield, Chairperson of the Norwegian Association for Green Infrastructure and Secretary of the World Green Infrastructure Network. Explore the advantages & challenges of Biosolar Roofs in the winter 2023 issue of Living Architecture Monitor 

An aerial view of a district in Duesseldorf, Germany. ID: 2151579185 The increasing attention to policies and regulations concerning green infrastructure in urban areas signifies noteworthy advancements. However, with the EU elections next year, we must work diligently to ensure urban green infrastructure remains high on the agenda of the new EU institutions. The growing focus on policy and regulations pertaining to green infrastructure in urban areas indicates significant progress – Nature Restoration Law; Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD); Pollinators Initiative; Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). However, with the European elections scheduled for next June, we must work diligently to ensure urban green infrastructure remains high on the agenda of the new EU institutions. Forecasts predict around 70 per cent turnover in the members of the European Parliament, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy. Read the full article by Luigi Petito in the winter 2023 issue of Living Architecture Monitor. 

The European Parliament approves a resolution endorsing & sharing its priorities on the European Commission’s Revised Pollinators Initiative.  On 23 November 2023, the European Parliament approved a resolution on the revised Pollinators Initiative. This is a non-binding document expressing the priorities of the European Parliament on the initiative in order to best shape and ensure the successful implementation of the Commission’s Revised Pollinators Initiative, adopted earlier this year.  The resolution highlights key points aimed at promoting the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in urban areas, specifically focusing on protecting the pollinator populations. It emphasizes the importance of the integration of these concerns into urban planning practices and calls on all Member States to monitor pollinator populations in cities, while encouraging the sharing of best practices among cities.  A significant aspect of the resolution is that it stresses the benefits of green roofs and vertical gardens in providing habitats for pollinators, contributing to urban sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life of citizens.   The resolution also proposes the creation of a “nature fund” in the European Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF itself will be defined sometime in 2027. The resolution’s various elements will be subject to the considerations of the European Commission and the Member States.  Read the full text here: bit.ly/47xNRZM