France got Green Roofs to become Law

So Inhabitat reports that France approved a new law that requires all new roofs in commercial zones to be partially covered in plants or solar panels. It’s a large and positive step. One taken by a country far lagging far behind with implementing environmental changes. That’s compared to other European countries. For example, Germany boasts 40 gigawatts of installed solar power. Whereas compared to France’s 5 gigawatts.

Environmental groups in France had called for a more stringent version of the law. I mean one to require new commercial construction to go all green roof coverage. Instead, lawmakers opted to give developers the option. One of topping buildings. So with either partial green roofs or solar panels.

Why a green roof?

Plants provide insulation, thereby reducing energy needed for heating or cooling. That’s so plants retain water and reduce pollution. Because they decrease the “heat island” effect. According to the EPA, large cities get 1.8 degrees to 5.4 degrees warmer than surrounding areas in the day. As well as remain as much as 22 degrees warmer at night.

More importantly, the new law was modified. That’s green roofs to allow solar panels to be substituted for vegetation.

The new rooftop law will serve as an example to other countries and comes at a good time for France, which will be hosting the United Nations’ climate summit coming to Paris at the end of the year.