Green Roofs Help Meet Standards for Sustainable Homes

Green Roofs Today
A new on-line resource promoting the UK’s green roof sector

Groundwork Sheffield is pleased to announce the development of a new  on-line resource for the green roof 
sector called Green Roofs Today.

Green Roofs Today has been developed through discussion with industry professionals and in response to 
the upwards of 1000 enquiries Groundwork receives every year for information on green roof services, 
products, legislation and training. It aims to make information on green roofs more accessible, encourage 
the uptake of green roof technology across the UK and promote the activities of the sector as a whole.

Green Roofs Today will incorporate Green Roof News, a sector specific e-newsletter and will also feature a
comprehensive Green Roof Register of UK green roof and related industry professionals - from architects to
installers, seed producers to substrate suppliers.

A standard entry in the Green Roof Register costs £120 +VAT for a 12 month period. An extended entry 
costs £200 +VAT for 12 months. For a booking form and more information on how to include your business 
in the Green Roof Register, please click here.

The website and register will go live early November, but to view a pdf of the demo site under construction, 
please click here.

There is also an opportunity to advertise on the Green Roofs Today website.

For more information please contact Anna Cooper, Green Business Officer,
Groundwork Sheffield on 0114 263 6425.

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Launch of The Developer's Guide to Green Roofs

The Green Roof Centre is please to announce the launch of The Developer's Guide to Green Roofs, a comprehensive report on the whole life-cycle cost of integrating a green roof into a development. Aimed at the construction industry, the report demonstrates the economic advantages of green roofs using case studies to relate existing data to a UK setting. The report consolidates available data and demonstrates that a development with a green roof not only experiences a decrease in void periods, but also benefits from increased rent and enhanced let-ability.

The Developers Guide to Green Roofs costs £50 (inc p+p)

To order a copy click here or call Anna Cooper, The Green Roof Centre on 0114 263 6425.

Please note, the Developers Guide to Green Roofs is produced in CD format to minimise paper waste.

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Sheffield Schools To Get Bio-Diverse Roofs

In recognition of the environmental and sustainable benefits of green roofs, bio-diverse roofs are currently being implemented on all Phase 1 schools in Sheffield as part of the Government’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) programme.

Sheffield City Council (SCC) was selected as a Building Schools for the Future Pathfinder Authority alongside Bristol, Bradford and Greenwich, therefore developing benchmarks for the future progression of BSF nationally. The Sheffield schools that will benefit from phase 1 are Newfield, Talbot Special Education Needs, Yewlands and Silverdale.

Bio-diverse roofs are extensive green roof systems that provide an undisturbed valuable habitat for a range of plants, birds and insects, enhancing the biodiversity of an area. They have a substrate build of up to 70-100mm comprising recycled crush brick and green waste mix.  These components create a suitable growing environment for dry grassland, which is similar to the environment created at roof level. The substrate is laid in a rippled effect to provide microclimates for a further range of habitat on the roof. Tree branches have also been introduced to further diversify the habitats and provide valuable perches for birds.

In addition, the roof is seeded with a wildflower seed mix and a green roof perennial mix to enhance and encourage habitat creation. This seed mix is both attractive and hardy, able to withstand the rigours of a roof top environment. It contains species such as: Chives, Oregano, Blue fax, White stonecrop, Tunic flower and ornamental grasses.

Over time, the roof will self-colonize with local plant species to create a greater bio-diversity of plant species, which in turn will support increased  biodiversity in relation to animal species and enhance the local area.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew every one of England's 3,500 state secondary schools during the 15-year lifetime of the £45 billion programme.

To download the DfES document Building Schools for the Future, consultation on a new approach to capital investment please click here

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Green Roofs to Meet Standards for Sustainable Homes


The Code for Sustainable Homes is the national accredited standard for sustainable building, design and construction. It provides home buyers with a single standard by which to judge the green credentials of their future home.

The Code seeks to make all new housing carbon neutral by 2016 using a rating system of 1 to 6, with one being the entry level (building performance if above that of current Building Regulations) and six reflecting an exemplar development in sustainability terms.  Ratings are given in 9 different categories which cover energy/CO2   emissions, water, materials, surface water run-off, waste, pollution, health and well-being, management and ecology

In order to meet higher levels of the code the use of renewable energy, low carbon technologies and innovative sustainable technologies are encouraged. There is potential for green roofs to play a part in many categories of the code including; energy efficiency, surface water management, ecology and health and wellbeing. For example, the energy required by appliances in a dwelling, including air conditioning, needs to be taken into account to achieve what is termed “True Zero Carbon”.  Green roofs reduce the need for mechanical cooling, reducing energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions. Green roofs can also help reduce surface water runoff. There is a mandatory element to this category which states that run-off from a site must be not be greater after development than before development.

A green roofs ability to absorb water and hold it for long periods helps achieve this, although this must be proven by a hydrologist. Green roofs can also be used in conjunction with rainwater harvesting schemes to reduce water usage. The category reaping most benefit from green roof implementation is ecology. Planting on green roofs can be tailored to meet specific biodiversity targets and attract rare and endangered species of wildlife. Green roofs range from a simple layers of sedum matting to more creative systems such as wetlands and wildflower meadows. An ecologist will determine the contribution it has made to the ecological value of the site.  Points can also be gained by reducing the change in ecological value of the site. Green roofs also improve the health and wellbeing of surrounding residents although this is hard to quantify and the spaces must be accessible to wheelchair uses. The Code is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. By building to Code standards, we can make Britain's homes more environmentally friendly for the future.

To download Greener Homes For the Future pdf please click here.

For more information on the Code, including how to get hold of a licensed Code assesor and the Code technical guidance, please visit www.communities.gov.uk/thecode.

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Green Roofs – An Integral Part of Plaid Cymru’s Environmental Policy.
 
Welsh National Party Plaid Cymru has raised the profile and potential of green roofs in Wales by making them a feature of its policies to improve the environment and public health.

Speaking prior to the local elections in May this year, party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he wants not just to manage the councils better than other parties, but to turn them into "laboratories of innovation".

The "innov8 policies," as Plaid Cymru describe them, include encouraging local renewable energy projects, investigating local energy service companies, encouraging underground bins for new homes and business properties and the installation of "intensive green roofs" on all new flat-roofed council properties.

To find out more about Plaid Cymru’s plans for a sustainable Wales please click here

To find out about how a green roof can make your development more sustainable, call Anna Cooper, The Green Roof Centre on 0114 2636425.

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The Green Roof Centre Staff Success!

The Green Roof Centre continues to build up its in-house expertise with Development Manager Wendy Bussey completing the first year of an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning. Meanwhile Anna Cooper, Green Business Officer, has recently passed her exam to become an accredited member of IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management Association).

Wendy Bussey said: “At The Green Roof Centre we encourage continued professional development as we want our employees to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver a first class service to our clients.”

Well done Wendy and Anna!

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Environmental Services From The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre, founded by Groundwork Sheffield and the University of Sheffield, is a development centre for all things ‘green roof’. It offers a range of services including consultancy, project management and green roof tours across South Yorkshire, as well as a programme of training events and conferences throughout the year.

Whether you are an individual looking to put a green roof on your home, an architect looking to incorporate a green roof into your designs, a public sector employee keeping up-to-date with environmental issues, or a developer looking for the latest advise on legislation, the Green Roof Centre is here to help.

Clients include the Environment Agency, Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Kirklees Council, RSPB, Natural England, architects, developers and the general public.

To find out more about the services offered by The Green Roof Centre please contact Anna Cooper on 0114 636 425 or click here.

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Sustainable Technology Education Resource for Primary Schools 

The Green Roof Centre is pleased to announce the launch of a new resource pack for schools, educating staff and pupils on the benefits of sustainable technology. The pack is aimed at Key stage 1 (age 4 – 7yrs) and key stage 2 (age 7 -11yrs) and contains colourful characters such as Roofus the bloodhound, sniffing out ways to save energy on a school’s energy audit and wildflower Wendy exploring the benefits of green roofs. The pack also contains information to educate and inform teachers and parents about sustainable technology and green roof technology.

To find out more about this innovative educational resource please contact Anna Cooper, The Green Roof Centre on 0114 263 6425 or email anna@thegreenroofcentre.co.uk

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'Introduction to Green Roofs'- New Training Dates

Due to the popularity of the Green Roof Centres ‘Introduction to Green Roofs’ training days held in May and June this year, the Centre is pleased to announce three new dates for autumn, winter 08/09.

2nd September '08
4th November '08
10th February '09

Each day course consists of a series of presentations from experts in the field, followed by a mini-tour of green roofs across South Yorkshire, giving delegates an unique opportunity to see for themselves the range, diversity and potential of green roofs.

The cost of the day is £225 +VAT including lunch and training notes.

Course leaders and venue tbc

To find out more contact Anna Cooper, the Green Roof Centre on 0114 263 6425. 

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World Green Roof Congress - 17-18th September 2008, London

CIRIA in partnership with Livingroofs.org is pleased to announce the 2008 World Green Roof Congress. The congress is the first international event of its kind in the UK and brings together leading green roof experts, providing a platform for the latest research, policy initiatives and practical case studies. This exciting and respected Congress will drive the uptake and implementation of green roofs in the UK and Europe. It will also provide a greater level of understanding of the benefits of green roofs and stimulate innovation and industry growth, shifting the perception of green roofs to the main stream.

The Congress runs for two-day with inspiring presentations, exhibitions, a conference reception, the potential for a ‘green roof safari’ trip around London and workshops to support the sharing of experience and  knowledge to facilitate the delivery of green roofs in the built environment.

For more information visit www.livingroofs.org

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Climate Change Development Officer

Based at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Office in Grassington£21,412 - £22,845 pa (pay award pending), 37 hpw, fixed term contract to February 2010.

Craven Local Strategic Partnership is seeking to appoint a Climate Change Development Officer, working across the whole of the Craven District. The Craven Local Strategic Partnership is made up of a number of key organisations in the Craven and North Yorkshire areas. One of the priorities for action of The Partnership is “Creating a Sustainable Future – One Planet Living”. You will drive the work of key agencies, businesses, community groups and residents to facilitate action to tackle green gas emissions and minimise impacts on the environment and demands on its resources. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference! Ideally you will be educated to degree level with evidence of continued professional development, and have a good understanding of general sustainable development and climate change issues. You will have a proven track record of delivering community projects and events, together with experience of facilitating co-operation across a range of organisations. A working knowledge of bodies involved with sustainable development and climate change issues at a local, regional and national level is essential, together with an understanding of grant funding regimes.
For an informal discussion please contact Kate Senior at Craven District Council on (01756) 706414.

Application forms and further information are available on theYorkshire Dales National Park website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk. They may also be obtained by telephoning 0870 1 666333 or bye-mailing personnel@yorkshiredales.org.uk

Closing date: Closed

For more information click here

For more information on the Craven Local Strategic Partnership click here

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Consultants/Senior Consultants – Carbon Footprint 

UK/France, plus other European countries
Excellent Packages - Flexible Location (UK/France, plus other European countries) 

As the world’s leading independent inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS is continuing to invest in new services that helps its clients’ achieve their quality, environmental, safety and social objectives.  To further the development of its Sustainability Services business, SGS is seeking to establish a new European team of Senior Consultants in the field of carbon footprint assessment. Their primary purpose will be to develop and implement bespoke methodologies to help consumer product manufacturing/ retail companies measure and reduce their carbon footprint, whilst working with national/international bodies to develop a global framework for these activities. 
 
Ideally with experience in GHG inventory/accountability and verification, you should demonstrate a good general understanding of current issues in sustainability and corporate responsibility. More importantly, you must be able to translate this knowledge into cost-effective and practical solutions for the consumer product/retail sector and would thus also benefit from an appreciation of retail supply chain issues. 
 
This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing, professional team working at the cutting edge of both service and technical development. Closing date: Closed.