About CoolRoofsBC
What Is CoolRoofsBC's Role?
CoolRoofsBC is intended to serve as a trusted information and education resource concerning cool roofs and cool roofing in British Columbia.
The organization does not promote any specific manufacturer, roofing product, contractor or commercial interest. Instead, it focuses on assembling, evaluating and sharing credible information from research, industry experience, recognized standards and other reliable sources.
By making this information more accessible and understandable, CoolRoofsBC seeks to help stakeholders better evaluate available options and identify approaches appropriate to their specific circumstances.
01
Advancing Cool Roofing in British Columbia Together
Addressing the challenges associated with climate change and the built environment requires collaboration among governments, Indigenous communities, building owners, professionals, researchers, industry organizations and the public.
CoolRoofsBC welcomes participation from stakeholders committed to improving understanding and appropriate adoption of effective cool roofing practices throughout British Columbia.
Through education, collaboration and access to reliable information, CoolRoofsBC seeks to help create cooler, more resilient and more sustainable communities.
01
CoolRoofsBC Knowledge Centre
The CoolRoofsBC Knowledge Centre is intended to become a living repository of reliable, evidence-based information concerning cool roofing, climate adaptation, building performance and related roof-surface strategies.
Its purpose is to enable users to quickly locate, understand and confidently apply reliable information in support of more informed decision-making.
Artificial intelligence may be used as a tool to improve access to knowledge while recognizing that professional expertise, local conditions and informed judgment remain essential.
01
Mission, Purpose, & Vision
Mission
To advance the appropriate adoption of cool roofing in British Columbia through independent, reliable and evidence-based information, education, collaboration and informed decision-making.
Purpose
CoolRoofsBC exists to help increase awareness, understanding and consideration of cool roofing as a practical opportunity to improve building performance and contribute to climate adaptation, extreme-heat resilience and more resilient communities throughout British Columbia.
Our purpose is to help governments, building owners, industry professionals, community organizations and the public better understand the opportunities available and make informed decisions appropriate to their circumstances.
Vision
Our vision is a future where roofs are recognized not simply as protective building components, but as strategic assets that can contribute to climate adaptation, reduced urban heat, improved building and energy performance, longer service life, reduced construction waste and more sustainable and resilient communities.
CoolRoofsBC seeks a future in which consideration of cool roofing and these broader roofing opportunities becomes a normal part of roofing decisions throughout British Columbia.
Founding Principles
Founding Context
01
CoolRoofsBC has been founded to address a perceived need for a trusted, independent source of information concerning cool roofing, high-performance roofing, climate adaptation and more resilient building practices in British Columbia.
The creation of CoolRoofsBC reflects a commitment to establishing an independent, non-profit, public-interest organization dedicated to advancing knowledge, education, collaboration and evidence-based decision-making concerning better roofing and its contribution to healthier buildings and communities throughout British Columbia.
CoolRoofsBC has been intentionally established as an independent organization whose mission, governance and long-term direction are intended to extend well beyond any individual, management team or particular commercial interest.
02
Why Was CoolRoofsBC Created?
The creation of CoolRoofsBC was driven by the recognition that British Columbia faces a growing need to better understand and respond to the impacts of a changing climate on the built environment.
Buildings represent one of society's largest investments, yet many decisions concerning roofing systems continue to be made primarily on the basis of immediate cost, traditional practices or limited information. As climate conditions change, these decisions increasingly have consequences extending beyond individual buildings — affecting energy demand, community resilience, urban heat, waste generation and long-term infrastructure sustainability.
Cool roofing represents an opportunity to rethink the role of roofs. Rather than being viewed only as protective building assemblies, roofs can become important components of building and climate-adaptation strategies by reducing heat absorption, improving building performance, extending service life and supporting broader community resilience.
CoolRoofsBC was established to address this need by creating an independent knowledge platform dedicated to advancing awareness, education, collaboration and informed decision-making concerning cool roofs and cool roofing throughout British Columbia.
03
Independence and Public Interest
CoolRoofsBC operates as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and awareness concerning cool roofing.
The organization's primary responsibility is to serve the public interest by providing accurate, balanced and accessible information.
CoolRoofsBC does not exist to promote any specific manufacturer, roofing product, contractor or commercial business interest. Instead, it provides a trusted platform where information from credible sources can be assembled, evaluated and shared.
03
Organizational Independence and Relationship to Related Organizations
CoolRoofsBC recognizes that advancing the appropriate adoption of cool roofing requires participation from many sectors, including manufacturers, contractors, consultants, researchers, governments, building owners and community organizations.
Related commercial organizations may support, participate in or contribute knowledge to CoolRoofsBC initiatives; however, they do not control its mission, governance or public positions.
Information published by CoolRoofsBC is developed based upon evidence, research, recognized standards and public-interest considerations.
Evidence-Based Cool Roofing Knowledge
CoolRoofsBC is committed to providing reliable, balanced and evidence-based information.
Through its Knowledge Centre, CoolRoofsBC is creating a living repository of information concerning cool-roof technologies, energy performance, climate resilience, building science, regulations, research findings and case studies.
Its purpose is to enable users to quickly locate, understand and confidently apply reliable information in support of better decision-making.
Education and Accessibility
CoolRoofsBC believes that knowledge only creates value when it can be understood and applied.
The organization is committed to making information accessible to governments, building owners, professionals, researchers, educators, community organizations and the public.
Collaboration and Shared Responsibility
CoolRoofsBC encourages cooperation among governments, Indigenous communities, industry organizations, manufacturers, academic institutions, professionals and community leaders.
Meaningful progress requires shared responsibility, open communication and partnerships founded upon transparency and mutual respect.
Technology and Innovation
CoolRoofsBC recognizes the potential of emerging technologies to improve access to knowledge.
Artificial intelligence provides new opportunities to organize, analyze and communicate complex information. Technology is viewed as a tool to enhance human knowledge and judgment, not replace professional expertise.
Long-Term Roofing and Climate Resilience
Roofing decisions often influence buildings and communities for decades.
CoolRoofsBC promotes consideration of whole-life value, maintenance requirements, energy impacts, environmental consequences, climate resilience and future adaptability.
Understanding Cool Roofing
Cool roofing uses roofing materials and systems designed to reduce the amount of solar heat absorbed by a roof. By reflecting more incoming solar energy and efficiently releasing absorbed heat, cool roofs can remain significantly cooler than conventional dark roofs exposed to the same conditions.
Reducing roof temperatures can help reduce heat entering buildings, lower cooling requirements, improve indoor conditions during hot weather and contribute to reducing heat accumulation within communities.
Guiding Principles for Governance and Decision-Making
Independence
CoolRoofsBC will maintain independence in its mission, governance and communications.
Evidence and Integrity
Information will be accurate, balanced and supported by credible sources.
Transparency
CoolRoofsBC will identify information sources, disclose relevant relationships and communicate the basis for significant decisions.
Inclusiveness and Collaboration
Diverse perspectives strengthen understanding and lead to better outcomes.
Stewardship
CoolRoofsBC has a responsibility to maintain and improve reliable information resources over time.
Accountability
The organization will periodically review its resources, initiatives, partnerships and alignment with its founding mission.
Long-Term Stewardship of the Mission
CoolRoofsBC was created to address a long-term challenge extending beyond any individual, organization, technology or circumstance. Its enduring purpose is to provide trusted, independent, evidence-based knowledge that enables better decisions concerning cool roofs, cool roofing and climate resilience throughout British Columbia.
©CoolRoofsBC 2026
The organization was created in recognition that roofs represent an important opportunity to improve building performance and climate resilience, reduce energy demand, extend building service life and support more sustainable communities.
As climate conditions continue to change, decisions concerning roofing systems have impacts that extend beyond individual buildings. They influence energy consumption, urban heat, community resilience, construction waste and the long-term performance of the built environment.
CoolRoofsBC exists to provide reliable, evidence-based information that enables governments, building owners, industry professionals, community organizations and the public to make better-informed decisions concerning cool roofs, roofing solutions and climate adaptation.
