Road map for zero-emissions buildings by 2040

Last updated November 10, 2022
Reading time: 2 min

Montréal has set out a road map to decarbonize buildings. The objective is to reach zero GHG emissions in Montréal’s buildings by 2040. The key milestones for this road map are creating regulation for the building sector and providing guidance to building owners.

This roadmap attacks GHG emitted by commercial, residential or institutional buildings, which make up more than 26 per cent of GHG emissions in the agglomeration. It clarifies the targets for each building category in order to facilitate adaptation to major changes that are imminent over the course of the next decade.

Facilitating the transition to zero emissions

The real estate, construction and engineering sectors, as well as building owners and environmental groups, will be invited to take part in a public consultation (in French) over the course of fall 2022. This will give these stakeholders the opportunity to express their needs and share their opinions about future regulation that is set out in the road map.

Overview of upcoming regulation

The transition to carbon neutrality began with the By-law concerning GHG emission disclosures and ratings of large buildings, which collects energy consumption data and profiles of large buildings

Here are the obligations and regulations that will be gradually implemented:

  • For all buildings, there will be compulsory declaration of heating devices that use a fuel such as oil or gas furnace (such as a gas heater or oil-fueled hot water heater). Current regulation only requires declaration of heating devices that use solid fuel, like wood. 
  • For large buildings with an area of 2,000 m2 or greater, it will be compulsory to display the building’s GHG emission performance rating on the entrance. The ratings system will range from A to F. A is for buildings with zero emissions, while buildings with heavy emissions will receive an F. 
  • For existing large buildings with an area of 2,000 m2 or greater, it will be compulsory to comply with increasingly restrictive GHG emissions levels, ultimately reaching zero emissions. 
  • For new buildings, there will be a zero emissions operational requirement. In particular, it will be prohibited to install heating devices that use a fuel.

Quick search