Do not rush into regulation...

Toronto is ostensibly considering a green roof by-law according to Green Inc, a blog of the New York Times. This proposed green roof by-law would make such installations mandatory on certain new developments with a gross floor area exceeding 54,000 square feet. “The measure, which is a component of Mayor David Miller’s environmental strategy, proposes greening 30 to 60 percent of the roof area, depending on building size. Exemptions include schools, industrial structures, low- to mid-rise apartment buildings and affordable housing.”

Here is my take on this. Cities like Chicago, Berlin and Portland started their green roof initiatives with market instruments and incentives. These cities ran pilot building projects to evaluate the efficacy of green roofs in meeting sustainability goals. They would then provide incentives to developers for installing green roof technology and would articulate the numerous benefits of doing this. Through pilot projects, knowledge and experience is gained and the city becomes more familiarized with how green roofs operate. These steps are important for bringing about green roofs because everyone benefits through increased knowledge.

Even Toronto’s Green Roof Incentive Pilot program offers a grant of $10/m² to eligible green roofs. These sorts of policy instruments are more effective for environmental change than simply resorting to regulation. While regulation is important (it sets a precedent for the city’s commitment to sustainability) it is too precipitous to implement right now and does not provide the developer with sufficient incentives. As a policy tool, by-laws can target behavioural and social changes. However, using regulation for meeting green roof technology standards can stifle innovation if developers are bound to restrictions and rigid criteria for each green roof they install.

Key message: Do not rush into regulation through enacting a city by-law. Continue with the Green Roof Incentive Pilot program to ascertain the economic viability of green roofs while concomitantly informing the city's residents and businesses about what they are and why they are important for sustainability.