Repainting roofs and walls in white can lower temperatures by up to two degrees in the afternoon, significantly improving the thermal comfort of passersby by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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This benefit is due to the whiteness property, which increases surfaces’ ability to reflect light and thus heat. A white roof made of thermal plastic can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s rays.

Despite these advantages, using white as an ideal solution to reduce urban temperatures remains relative. It faces some challenges, such as cost and potential visual impacts, as observed in previous experiments in cities like Los Angeles and Lyon, France.

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Nevertheless, the technique continues to draw interest from climate change agencies due to its potential benefits for improving urban environments and the well-being of residents during hot summers.

Further developments are expected in the field of cool roofs as an innovative solution to mitigate high temperatures in major cities worldwide.