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company roofing, cladding, insulation & structural systems feature
the roof on the frontline of facing climate changes
Mark Harris, Head of Sustainability at Sika explores the rising demand for blue roofs
As climate change continues to drive extreme weather patterns, the UK faces a sobering new reality: heavier and more frequent downpours are no longer rare events, they’re the new norm. The Met Office has confirmed that extreme rainfall events are expected to become up to four times more frequent by 2080 than in the 1980s, with six of the ten wettest years on record occurring since 1998. The implications for urban drainage and flood resilience are profound, particularly in dense city environments already under strain. This shift in climate behaviour demands new thinking in urban infrastructure, and increasingly, that solution is found above our heads. Blue roofs are a key element in the fight against surface water flooding and a growing feature in sustainable development strategies. At the forefront of this movement is Sika, providing comprehensive blue roof systems that
integrate waterproofing, attenuation and intelligent water management. Why blue roofs? Blue roofs are flat or low-slope roofing systems designed to store rainwater temporarily and release it in a controlled manner. This helps manage stormwater runoff at source, relieving pressure on urban drainage systems and reducing flood risk during heavy downpours. They’re particularly effective in areas with limited ground-level space, making them a perfect fit for cities like London. Their importance is increasingly
recognised in policy and regulation. The London Plan, for example, already includes specific guidance on blue and green roofs for major developments. And with the Government’s recent DEFRA update to the National Standards for SuDS, which formally recognises green infrastructure as compliant with zero runoff targets, there’s a growing push
to embed nature-based solutions in urban planning. Furthermore, the Environmental
Audit Committee’s 2024 report recommends stronger government action to mandate the use of green infrastructure. Specifically, it calls for incentivising green and blue roofs as retrofit and new build options across both residential and commercial sectors, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Sika’s approach: Systemic, smart, sustainable Sika offers a comprehensive suite of blue roof solutions, designed to integrate seamlessly with its robust waterproofing membranes, drainage outlets, flow restrictors and insulation systems. These aren’t off-the-shelf solutions, they are engineered systems tailored to building performance and local regulatory needs.
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