The Green Deal Green Roofs initiative promoted the use of green roofs nationwide through new revenue models, practical experiments, and collaboration between public and private parties.

Client Green Deal Green Roofs Foundation
Duration 2013–2019

Context

Green roofs offer several benefits: they trap particulate matter, keep buildings cooler, reduce heat stress in cities, help manage stormwater during heavy rainfall, and increase biodiversity. They also provide additional usable space. In short, they offer significant benefits—both for those who invest in them and for others in the surrounding area.

Initiated by Leven op Daken, companies, municipalities, water authorities, financial institutions, and research organizations within this Green Deal looked for successful approaches to promote green roofs nationwide.

Objective

Nation wide promotion of green roofs, by

• Developing a new social revenue model
• Leverageing opportunities, removing obstacles (where possible)
• Experimenting with revenue models in practical situations

Process approach

Commissioned by Leven op Daken, NextGreen conducted a feasibility study. As part of this study, we consulted with approximately 20 companies, industry associations, government agencies, and research institutions to discuss the opportunities presented by further collaboration and the key issues involved. This led to the drafting of the Green Deal, which was signed on September 10, 2014.

NextGreen, in collaboration with Stroom and Onderstroom, facilitated the larger meetings and handled general communications, such as a newsletter and a standalone website. We organized workshops to develop new revenue models and later produced publications such as Facts & Values and the Green Roofs Guide.

Upon completion of the Green Deal, NextGreen, together with Stroom en Onderstroom and the partners, conducted a feasibility study and prepared the grant application for the follow-up initiative, the National Roof Plan.

Partners

• Governments: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (formerly Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment); provinces of North Brabant and Overijssel; municipalities of Almere, Amsterdam, Enschede, Tilburg, Eindhoven, and Son en Breugel; water boards of Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Aa en Maas, de Dommel, and Vechtstromen.
• Umbrella organizations: VEBIDAK, Association of Building Greeners, VHG trade association of entrepreneurs in the green sector, GDO Association
• Companies: Leven op Daken, BTL Nederland, Mastum Daksystemen, Nelen & Schuurmans, Optigrün Benelux, Sempergreen, Van der Tol Groep, Zinco Benelux, Atelier GroenBlauw, Carlisle Construction Materials BV, Triflex BV, Zoontjens International BV
• Knowledge organizations: Amsterdam Rainproof, NIOO, Stichting Roof Update, VIBA-Expo, the Butterfly Foundation, Stichting Groenkeur, the Nature and Environment Federations
• Citizens' initiative: Emerald Canals

Services and activities

Interviews with stakeholders | Process management | Organizing and facilitating meetings | Producing publications | Communication