Living Roofs will be organising trips to Switzerland early this summer for both professionals and policy makers to visit the largest known photovoltaic roof in the world, constructed on the green roof of the Messe Hall in Basel.

Dusty Gedge, the founder of Living Roofs explains: ‘Photovoltaics work more efficiently on green roofs than on ordinary flat roofs. Green roofs are a sustainable technology and Switzerland is one of the first countries in Europe to make them a legal requirement on new developments. In the UK green roofs are still seen as the preserve of the alternative’ community,’ he says. ‘But many new, big, urban developments do have them, like the Barclays Building at Canary Wharf in London.’

With ever-increasing concern about Climate Change, green roofs are one of the simplest and immediate ways to help our cities adapt. They provide storm water storage, thus reducing the risk of floods and flash floods in urban areas. They also cool buildings, reducing the need for air conditioning and associated electricity and carbon costs.

Contact tel: 0208 692 2109 Website: www​.livingroofs​.org

Photo: Canary Wharf’s green roof flourishes. © Living Roofs