Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program now open

The City of Toronto is now accepting applications for its Eco-Roof Incentive Program, an initiative designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s industrial, commercial and institutional buildings, and to help Toronto’s business community take action on climate change.

Eligible projects include:

• Any green or cool roof on an existing industrial, commercial or institutional building.
• Any above grade green roof on a new industrial building with a gross floor area (GFA) of 10,000 m² (107,600 sq ft) or greater.
• Any green roof on a new institutional or commercial building with a GFA of less than 2,000 m² (21,528 sq ft).

Projects must be above grade; parking garages and at-grade roofs are ineligible.

Owners who install a green roof, which supports vegetation, can apply for a grant of $50 per square metre up to $100,000. Cool roofs, which feature a membrane or coating to reflect the sun’s rays, are eligible for $2-5 per square metre up to $50,000.

The benefits of green and cool roofs are many.  Both reduce urban heat and associated energy use. Green roofs also help manage stormwater, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and beautify Toronto.

Applications will be accepted online until April 1, 2010.  A second round of funding will be available in the fall.

For more information, visit www.toronto.ca/livegreen/ecoroofs.