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Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs
These Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs identify, describe and illustrate best practices for promoting biodiversity on green roofs in Toronto and are intended to inspire green roof creators to design for all inhabitants in the city. The guidelines provide a comprehensive list of plants suitable for green roofs that encourage biodiversity, outline recommended growing media depths and composition and provide ideas for creating habitat aimed at specific species. The document recognizes that green roofs are part of a larger urban ecosystem and provides design strategies for creating appropriate adjacent ecozones alongside existing natural heritage features.
These guidelines support and expand the current Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard and are primarily designed for use by architects and landscape architects but may also be of interest to others.
Eco-Roof Incentive Grants
Toronto's Eco-Roof Incentive Program provides incentives to commercial, industrial and institutional (ICI) property owners to improve the sustainability of Toronto's building stock and its resilience to climate change.
Financial incentives are provided for the construction of green roofs that support vegetation and cool roofs that reflect the sun's thermal energy. The program, launched in March 2009, supports the City's Climate Change Action Plan and complements the City's Green Roof Bylaw and the Green Standard by encouraging owners of existing buildings to retrofit their roofs.
The environmental benefits of eco-roofs, such a green and cool roofs, are many. They help to reduce urban heat, which is a particular concern as global temperatures rise. Green roofs also help manage stormwater, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and energy efficiency, and beautify our city.
Detailed case studies featuring green and cool roofs installed by some of the Eco-Roof Incentive Program grant recipients can be viewed here.
To apply and learn more, visit Live Green Toronto.
Using Green Roofs to Enhance Biodiversity in the City of Toronto
Green roofs offer the potential to enhance biodiversity in urban areas such as Toronto. This report (file size 7.2 MB)  reviews literature on green roofs and biodiversity and examines opportunities to use green roof design templates, location and design strategies to enhance local biodiversity over time. This study expands on the 2004 study of green roof benefits by providing addition information on other citywide benefits of green roofs.
City of Toronto wins award for Green Roof Strategy
Toronto's wins the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' FCM-CH2MHill Sustainable Community Award for its green roof strategy. This award recognizes municipal leadership in sustainable community development and gives national recognition to projects that demonstrate environmental excellence and innovation in service delivery.
Keeping in touch
We have an email to help us keep in touch with you: sustainablecity@toronto.ca.
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