Sustainability

NFRC Report: The Importance of Climate-Resilient Roofs as the UK Swelters 

As regions of the UK experience their fifth heatwave of the year in August 2026, NFRC has revisited research focused on building resilience of roofing technologies in a changing climate. 

In 2021 NFRC, working with the University of Southampton, investigated the potential role of the roof space in adapting the built environment to emerging challenges. The research 'Future (P)roof: Building resilience of roofing technologies in a changing climate' was published, outlining key opportunities within the roof space to improve resilience against a changing climate.  

This 2026 report revisits the research as a timely reminder of the key findings and to investigate what progress has been made.

GN57 Encouraging Roof Nesting Birds

NFRC is working proactively with roofing contractors, suppliers and conservation groups, such as RSPB, Swifts Local Network and Action for Swifts, to try to reverse the decline in the bird population in the UK by raising awareness amongst the roofing industry and encouraging the installation of nest boxes.

Many formerly common species such as house sparrows, starlings, house martins and swifts are now ‘red listed’, as the number of breeding birds has declined by over 50 per cent in the last 20 years. Renovation and repair work to the roofs of our homes and buildings is severely affecting the birds that need small cavities in the eaves to build nests and raise their young. Without somewhere to breed, numbers of these birds will continue to decline.

NFRC has produced guidance to encourage contractors on site to influence homeowners and clients into installing nest boxes and sharing their homes with nature. There is a wide range of bespoke nest boxes available that fit within the eaves or directly under the eaves or gable or even within a roof tile. The guidance contains case studies, showcasing what can be achieved when working collaboratively with conservation groups. The guidance is now available to download and we encourage contractors to share their success stories with NFRC.

 

Green Roof Fire Best Practice Guidance

NFRC is pleased to endorse a new publication from the Green Roof Association (GRO) on Green Roof Fire Best Practice Guidance. The document was created following discussions between senior representatives of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), who stated that this is the type of specialist guidance it would like Trade Associations and members of the GRO Regulatory Fire Compliance Working Group to produce. 

All those working on green roofs are encouraged to review the compliance update summary and analysis and commentary regarding Regulation B3 & B4 to ensure their knowledge is up to date.  

NFRC is advocating hard for greater uptake of sustainable roofing solutions, and documents like this are critical to ensure they are completed correctly and safely.