Vancouver Schools Roll Out Green Roofs Initiative
Several public schools are installing green rooftops to reduce emissions, improve insulation, and serve as hands-on learning labs for climate education.
In an ambitious step toward sustainability, the Vancouver School Board has begun rolling out green roofs on several of its public school buildings. The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption, enhance insulation, and serve as an educational platform for climate science.
“These are not just patches of grass on top of buildings,” said Program Coordinator Jade Han. “They’re living ecosystems designed for carbon absorption, stormwater management, and student learning.”
Five schools have already completed installation, with another seven scheduled by the end of the year. The green roofs feature native plant species, integrated irrigation systems, and accessible walkways for guided class visits.
Teachers are being trained to incorporate the roofs into environmental science curricula. Grade 6 teacher Sara Linton at Kitsilano Elementary said her students now monitor plant growth and track temperature variations as part of weekly assignments.
“It’s hands-on, it’s outdoors, and they’re genuinely excited about it,” she said. “It’s a rare case where the infrastructure literally becomes part of the lesson.”
The program is funded through a combination of municipal green grants and provincial education infrastructure funds. City officials say it’s part of a broader push to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.