Quantification of the effect that Green Roofs have on ambient CO2 concentrations : Västra Hamnen, Malmö

Abstract: Living in the Anthropocene epoch, climate change is a fact and the rising temperatures due to increasing greenhouse gases are only one of the many consequences. The carbon dioxide levels and greenhouse gases are of international concern, but something must be done on a local scale for it to be improved globally. Green areas and ecological corridors are now a modern and fashionable way of doing this. These innovative approaches, such as green roofs, are one of the many experiments in trying to improve the environment. This report aims to quantify the effects that green roofs have on ambient carbon dioxide concentrations by looking into the green roofs in Västra Hamnen in Malmö, Sweden. By doing so, it is possible to see that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could not be substantially reduced by the means of the 70 000 m2 big green roof area alone. They do not sequester enough carbon for them to be substantial for off-setting anthropogenic emissions from a power plant. They do however balance out the carbon emissions from 16 cars per year. There are still uncertainties and difficulties regarding green roofs and carbon sequestration, therefore, further experiments and studies are encouraged in this topic.