A Systematic Review of Green Roofs’ Thermal and Energy Performance in the Mediterranean Region

Edoardo De Cristo, Luca Evangelisti (), Leone Barbaro, Roberto De Lieto Vollaro and Francesco Asdrubali
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Edoardo De Cristo: Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma TRE University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
Luca Evangelisti: Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma TRE University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
Leone Barbaro: Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma TRE University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
Roberto De Lieto Vollaro: Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma TRE University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
Francesco Asdrubali: Department of International Human and Social Sciences, Perugia Foreigners’ University, Piazza Fortebraccio 4, 06122 Perugia, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-38

Abstract: Due to ongoing climate change, urban areas face increasing challenges associated with rising temperatures and growing energy demand. Green roofs have emerged as a sustainable, nature-based solution to enhance urban resilience. This study presents a systematic review of the thermal and energy performance of green roofs in the Mediterranean region, and was conducted following the PRISMA framework. By identifying targeted research questions formulated using the PICO(C) structure, this review systematically evaluates the potential of green roofs to promote sustainable urban environments in Mediterranean regions. The findings highlight their effectiveness in mitigating heat stress, enhancing building energy efficiency, and counteracting urban temperature fluctuations, reinforcing their role as a key climate adaptation strategy in densely populated areas. The review also identifies critical research gaps that must be addressed to facilitate the large-scale adoption of green roofs. Specifically, the lack of long-term performance monitoring, the need for standardized assessment protocols, and the necessity of optimizing green roof configurations for Mediterranean subregions emerge as key areas for future investigation. This study bridges a crucial gap in the literature by providing a systematic, PRISMA-compliant evaluation. It offers the scientific community a robust knowledge base to inform policy, urban planning, and future research directions.

Keywords: green roofs; Mediterranean climate; thermal performance; energy performance; urban resilience; passive cooling strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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