The city recently commissioned a green roof benefits study by Ryerson University. Researchers found that an eight-percent coverage of existing rooftops with green roofs, would generate over $300 million in initial cost savings in areas such as stormwater management, combined sewer overflow reduction, building energy savings, and the urban heat island reductions. Operational cost savings for the City from this level of coverage were calculated at approximately $40 million per year.

Green roofs infrastructure are proven technologies that utilize high quality waterproofing, root repellency and drainage systems, and lightweight growing media to grow plants on roofs.