European Parliament highlights green roofs for climate change adaptation

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 us
The 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.

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European Green Infrastructure Day 2025

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WGIN’s collaboration partner AIPH has published the spring edition of their Global Green City Update

WGIN’s collaboration partner, AIPH, has published the spring edition of their Global Green City Update. You can read it here. This edition includes a variety of key updates and initiatives, such as: An update on the signatory follow-up for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework The ISOCARP Manifesto for New Regenerative Cities ICLEI’s work on sustainable public procurement The Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) Seminar Series Building the Future City Auckland – insights into urban sustainability The Global Youth Climate Summit The AIPH Green City Briefing Webinar on April 10th WGIN’s European Green Infrastructure Day The 4th World Congress on Forests and Parks for Public Health And much more on urban greening, biodiversity, and sustainability Explore the latest developments shaping the future of green cities!

IFLA Joins the WGIN Working Group on Post-Conflict Reconstruction

The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) has joined the WGIN Working Group on the reconstruction of post-conflict areas. Representing IFLA in this initiative is Dr. Maria Gabriella Trovato, an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and the Program Leader of the International Master’s Program in Landscape Architecture for Global Sustainability. Dr. Maria Gabriella Trovato is a distinguished expert in landscape planning, spatial development, and the reconstruction of territories affected by conflicts and environmental crises. She has extensive experience in integrating nature-based solutions into the restoration of urban and natural landscapes. She is the Founder and Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Landscape Observatory (EMLO), a member of the UNISCAPE Executive Board, and the Chair of Landscape Architects Without Borders (IFLA). Her research focuses on landscape restoration in emergency contexts, urban adaptation to climate change, and the development of inclusive and resilient public spaces. The participation of IFLA in this working group represents a strategic step toward embedding nature-based solutions into the reconstruction of post-conflict territories. With the number of regions affected by armed conflicts and socio-political upheavals increasing globally, the demand for sustainable and resilient reconstruction strategies has never been more urgent. A holistic approach—combining ecological restoration, climate resilience, and social reintegration—is essential to ensuring long-term stability and quality of life for affected communities. The collaboration between WGIN and IFLA aims to foster innovative strategies for land restoration, establish long-term planning frameworks, and contribute to the creation of sustainable and resilient urban environments. As post-conflict reconstruction becomes an increasingly critical global challenge, integrating landscape architecture and nature-based solutions into recovery efforts is paramount for achieving sustainable development. We invite organizations to collaborate in the development of innovative solutions for post-conflict territory restoration. If you are interested in contributing or proposing joint initiatives, please contact us at oleksandra.strashok@uagin.org.