According to its Annual Green Roof Industry Survey, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) discovered a 10 percent growth rate for green roofs in 2013.
“We are pleased to see the continued expansion of the green roof market,” said Steven Peck, GRHC founder and president. “The industry’s continued growth is fuelled by the multiple public and private benefits green roofs bring, such as stormwater management, reducing the urban heat island, energy savings and green jobs. With supportive public policies like those in Washington, D.C., we will make progress toward achieving the industry goal of one billion square feet of green roofs installed by 2022.”
The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area saw the highest number of installations in 2013, with 2,164,926 square feet of green roofs installed. Moreover, the District has adopted public policies and programs that support green roof investment, including rebates of $7-$15 per square foot per green roof installed and credits that reduce stormwater fees.
“The fact that the District once again leads the nation in installation of green roofs is another example of how our government, private organizations and individual residents are working together to ensure that we are the most sustainable city in the nation,” said Mayor Vincent Gray. “Green roofs are a part of the solution for capturing stormwater and cleaning up our local rivers, and I am proud of the work of everyone who has helped us achieve this honor once again.”
