Updated Austrian Green Roof Standard ÖNORM B 1131 Published

A major milestone for quality, sustainability and climate-resilient building greening in Austria.

The updated Austrian Green Roof Standard ÖNORM B 1131 has been officially published, providing an important framework for the planning, construction and maintenance of green roofs in Austria. The revised standard reflects the latest technical developments, practical experience and growing policy ambitions related to climate adaptation, biodiversity enhancement and sustainable urban development.

As cities across Europe face increasing challenges related to urban heat, heavy rainfall events, biodiversity loss and climate change, green roofs have become a key Nature-Based Solution for creating more resilient and liveable urban environments. The updated ÖNORM B 1131 supports this transition by providing clear guidance for designers, planners, contractors, public authorities and building owners.

The standard addresses a wide range of aspects related to green roof implementation, including system design, substrate requirements, vegetation selection, water management, maintenance and quality assurance. Particular attention has been given to supporting multifunctional green roofs that deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.

Over the past years, Austria has established itself as one of Europe’s leading markets for building greening. Technical standards such as ÖNORM B 1131 play a crucial role in ensuring reliability, performance and long-term quality while supporting innovation within the sector. They also provide an important foundation for cities and municipalities seeking to implement climate adaptation measures and biodiversity strategies through building-integrated greenery.

I am pleased to have contributed to the development of the revised standard together with many dedicated experts from research, industry and public administration. The publication represents another step towards mainstreaming Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions within the built environment.

Further Information

ÖNORM B 1131 – Green Roofs: Planning, Construction and Maintenance
Published by Austrian Standards International (ASI), 2026.

👉 Learn more:
https://www.austrian-standards.at/de/shop/onorm-b-1131-2026-04-15~p4829490

Category: Austria / Standards
Tags: Green Roofs, Green Infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions, Building Greening, Biodiversity, Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Buildings, Urban Resilience, Technical Standards, ÖNORM.

Why greening is so effective

All four EU laws point to a shared challenge: cities are overheating, losing water, suffering from air pollution, and facing declines in biodiversity. Green infrastructure addresses all of these issues simultaneously. Studies compiled by the EFB in 2025 show:

Energy: Green roofs and façades reduce heat gains in summer, lower cooling demand, and improve winter insulation.
Water: Advanced Retention roofs can locally retain up to 100% of rainfall.
Biodiversity: Species‑rich green roofs and façades support wild bees, beetles, birds, and diverse plant species.
Urban climate: Vegetation cools surfaces, reduces heat islands, and improves outdoor comfort.

Discover the legislative pathways here:

EED: Saving energy through vegetation

The public sector must reduce its annual energy consumption by 1.9% starting in 2025. Additionally, the Member States’ energy‑saving obligations will rise significantly from 2024 onwards. Green roofs and green façades are among the most effective, durable, and verifiable measures: they reduce summer overheating, improve winter insulation, reduce the burden on heating and cooling systems, and provide benefits over decades. Depending on climate zone, studies show winter energy savings of 10–30% and up to 90% in summer.

EPBD: Solar obligations and building renovation as an opportunity for green roofs

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires Member States to gradually install solar energy systems on almost all building types – starting in 2026 with new public non‑residential buildings and from 2030 onwards also on existing buildings over 250 m² of usable floor area. Crucially, the directive explicitly demands an assessment of whether roofs are suitable for combining photovoltaics with vegetation. Such biosolar roofs improve PV performance, cool modules and roof surfaces, extend system lifetimes, and create valuable habitats.

The EPBD also sets strong impulses in the building stock: by 2030, the 16% worst‑performing non‑residential buildings must be renovated, rising to 26% by 2033. For residential buildings, primary energy consumption must drop by 16% by 2030 and 20–22% by 2035. Green roofs and façades are recognised as effective measures to reduce heating and cooling demand.

UWWTD: Retaining water instead of
overloading systems

The new EU Urban Wastewater Treatment
Directive revolutionizes the way cities manage rainwater. From 2028 onwards,
Member States must identify which cities require integrated rainwater
management plans due to overflow events, pollution, or climate‑related risks.
These plans must prioritise green and blue infrastructure – systems that store,
delay, evaporate, or locally reuse rainwater. Green roofs, retention roofs,
rain gardens and green façades thus become binding planning instruments that
help prevent flooding and significantly reduce pressure and costs in sewer
systems.

NRR: No net loss of urban green space from 2030

The new Nature Restoration Regulation introduces binding targets for urban ecosystems. From 2030 onwards, Member States may not allow any net loss of urban green space; from 2031 onwards, the total area of urban green must increase. Innovative and important: building greening is explicitly recognised as a means to achieve these targets. Green roofs and façades close spatial gaps, connect habitats, and create stepping‑stone environments for pollinators.