Green Roof Industry Support

The greenroof industry is well established, documented and supported in Germany. Part of the isolation problem for the English speaking population has been that until the early 1990s little information had been translated and made available in English. A growing roof greening industry has been emerging in the United Kingdom with the promotion of the ecological benefits, and thankfully more technical data has been available from several sources. Very active websites can be found in Italian and a few in Spanish.

One example of the German groups is the Deutscher Dachgartner-Verband (German Roof-Gardening Association), which provides up-to-date information on new developments in vegetated roof cover design in Europe to its many members.

Another technical support association is the Forschungsgeselschaft Landschaftsbau Landschaftentwicklung or FLL (The Landscaping and Landscape Development and Research Society). Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, it has established a standardized method for investigating and determining the root penetration resistance of waterproofing products used throughout Europe.

Financial Incentives

Were it not for specific conditions found in Germany, the higher costs associated with the initial construction of greenroofs may have precluded their widespread application. Federal environment laws require mitigation or compensation for the destruction of natural open spaces caused by development. Because of high urban density and real estate values, Germany provides indirect and direct subsidies and ordinances for the installation of green roofs. In 1996, a survey done by Zentralverband Gartenbau e. V. (ZVG) The Gardening Central Association, revealed that over 80 cities in Germany offered incentives to building owners utilizing green roofs.

Taxes are collected on anticipated storm water control or usage fees, and are used to cover constructing, maintaining and replacing storm water management facilities. A 100% utility surcharge is levied against owners of impervious roof covers, and thirteen German cities allow a reduction between 50% and 80% of the utility fee for using a green roof. Over a 36-year period, the reduction in the usage fee alone can compensate the building owner for as much as 50% of the additional capital cost of a green roof.

Another type of indirect subsidy lets developers use green roofs as mitigation for the provision of open space. Depending on the type of proposed plant material, local land development ordinances allow green roofs to compensate for lost of open space at a ratio of .50 to .70. This creates a very attractive alternative in areas of high real estate prices. Alternatives for mitigation include the restoration of existing impervious surfaces to create open space or improving the biodiversity of existing open space.

Twenty-nine German cities in the ZVG survey provide a direct monetary subsidy to developers who use green roofs. The amount of the subsidy varies widely, ranging between $0.51 to $6.20 per square foot. Most cities have adopted a financial aid ceiling for individual projects, ranging from $280 to $11,250 per municipality. The subsidies are based on estimates of the avoided costs associated with infrastructure maintenance and replacement. The subsidy structure provides the greatest incentive to residences and small building owners.

Since 1982, the green roof industry in Germany has grown an average of 15-20%. Beginning in 1984 Munich has included greenroofs in its building ordinance, and in the subsequent 15 years approximately 4.2 million square feet of rooftops have been greened. In 1992 a direct subsidy program was started, providing $3.13 per square foot, paying up to 50% of the capital cost of installing a green roof. By 1996, over 10 million square meters of greenroofs have been constructed in Germany alone.

Due to the legislative and financial support of European State and municipal governments, the green roof industry has grown into a vibrant, multi-million dollar market in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland among others. This public support recognizes the many tangible and intangible advantages of green roofs, and we in North America could certainly benefit from this forward thinking.


Government Regulations/ Rulings

Agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA, GSA, ISO, ASHRAE, ASTM, The White House and the U.S. Green Building Council are moving towards implementing green policies and green buildings.

Articles:

City Council votes to make government buildings green

Portlands City council unanimously agreed to have the citys new and remodeled government buildings meet national green building standards. Portland is the third city, after Seattle and Austin, Texas to require government buildings to follow standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. City officials estimate that meeting the standards will increase initial building costs by as much as 5 percent, but expect that costs will be recovered over time through lower utility bills.

Outside of the exempted buildings, the citys structures will have to incorporate more efficient heating and lighting, conserve more water, use recycled building materials and capture rainwater on site among other requirements.

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