In France, under a new environmental law, all new buildings in commercial zones must now have their rooftop partially covered with either plants or solar panels.
The new law comes after French environmental activists pressed for a law which would make it mandatory for all new buildings to have a roof entirely covered by greens. However, as the French government did not wish to introduce a law that would impose too many additional costs on businesses—a move which could possibly have a negative effect on the economy—the government convinced activist to limit the scope of the new law.
Although activists primary goals were not entirely met, significant environmental benefits will still be achieved under the new law.
“This draft law is a very positive step forward and a concrete lever for greener and smarter cities,” James Watson, CEO of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, told CBSNews. “There are so many unused rooftops in our cities today and solar photovoltaics is the perfect solution to make the best out of them as it can be seamlessly integrated in an urban setting.”
Once installed, the green roofs will make each new commercial building more energy efficient; the new buildings will require less heat during winter and less air-conditioning in the summer. The roofs will also possess the ability to retain rainwater and prevent the water runoff, improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, and also provide shelter for wild birds. Additionally, as some evidence suggest, the green roofs will also contribute to reducing the ““heat island” effect in urban areas that are warmed by asphalt roads and tar roofs.”
The solar panels will also assist France, which currently derives roughly 75 percent of its electricity from nuclear power, progress toward being a more environmentally-friendly city. Earlier this year, the Eiffel Tower was outfitted with two wind turbines.
Although the green roofs cost more to install and maintain than tradition roofs, business are in fact likely to save on energy costs. Ultimately, the enactment of this new law will help tackle some of the challenging environmental issues we face today.
Over the last few years, installing green roofs has become a popular energy saving method for cities worldwide. Both Canada’s Toronto and Switzerland’s Basel, also mandate rooftop vegetation in building bylaws. Thankfully, the many positive eco-friendly structures, methods and laws being implemented worldwide, indicate that many countries are now aware of the importance of environmental sustainability and wildlife protection. We hope that countries worldwide recognize France’s achievement and are inspired to adopt similar environmental laws and goals.
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