Abstract: As an effective measure for improvement of building energy efficiency，green roof has obvious biobenefit and landscape value，which is attracting more and more attention both in China and internationally. Through a systematic research on the effects of green roof in improving building energy saving， environment and rain accumulation，it was studied the design methods of green roof and its major influencing factors，including vegetation materials，allocation modes and cultivation substratum; and it was also reviews the progress of governmental policy and practice of green roofs in China and other countries.