# Green roofs cut summer rooftop temperatures by up to 40°F 2026-08-06T15:41:24+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Green roofs can make rooftop surfaces 30 to 40°F cooler than exposed conventional roofs during sunny summer conditions, according to reports cited by The Times of India. A study published in Energy and Buildings found that a traditional roof in southern Italy reached 74.3°C in June, while a vegetated roof recorded surface temperatures 57% to 63% lower. Plants cool roofs by shading surfaces and releasing water through evapotranspiration. Green roofs also retain rainwater, ease pressure on drainage systems and provide habitat for insects and other urban wildlife. Extensive systems use shallow soil and low-maintenance plants, while intensive systems support deeper soil and larger plants but need stronger structures, more maintenance and higher investment. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: climate, green roofs, rainwater management, sustainable buildings, urban heat Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/green-roofs-cut-summer-rooftop-temperatures-by-up-to-40f/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/green-roofs-cut-summer-rooftop-temperatures-by-up-to-40f/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.