Also known as “living roofs,” green roofs absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wildlife, help to lower urban air temperatures and provide an urban oasis and edible landscape.

A white roof or roof coating or membrane will reflect more of the sun's heat so that an attic and buildings stay cooler by reflecting sunlight, reducing green house gasses and energy consumption. A roof, white or otherwise, is considered "green" if it is environmentally.