Roadmap to zero emission buildings by 2040

Last updated March 4, 2026
Reading time: 2 min
Related to

Montréal has created a roadmap to decarbonize buildings by 2040. The city wants to beat the 2050 target it had initially planned for buildings by 10 years. To achieve this, the city has compiled an overview of the major regulatory steps ahead and support measures available to owners.

The roadmap addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commercial, residential or institutional buildings, which constitute more than 26% of GHG emissions in the Montréal agglomeration. It clarifies targets to be achieved by building category to help owners adapt to upcoming regulatory obligations over the next decade.

Facilitating the transition to zero emissions

The real estate, construction and engineering sectors, along with homeowners and environmental groups, participated in a public consultation in the fall of 2022. They recommended implementing the roadmap, which is being supported by financial assistance from Natural Resources Canada’s Codes Acceleration Fund.

Overview of regulations adopted or planned for adoption by 2030

The transition to carbon neutrality began with the By-law concerning greenhouse gas emission disclosures and ratings of large buildings, which created a framework for energy consumption data collection and profiles of large buildings to raise awareness among owners on the subject.

A new step is being taken with the By-law concerning greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings. These regulations will ban GHG-emitting combustion heaters in new buildings. There are some exceptions, in particular large buildings. The by-law came into force gradually in 2024 and 2025.

In the coming years, the following obligations and regulations will gradually be implemented:

  • For all buildings, the obligation to declare heaters using fuels like oil or gas (gas boilers, oil water heaters, etc.). Current by-laws only require that heating devices which burn solid fuels like wood be declared.
  • For large buildings with an area of 2,000 square metres or greater, there is an obligation to display the building’s GHG performance at the entrance doors using a rating system ranging from A to F. The A rating will be awarded to buildings that have achieved zero carbon, while the least efficient buildings will receive an F rating.
  • There will also be an obligation for large buildings with an area of 2,000 square metres or greater to comply with gradually restricted GHG emission levels to ultimately achieve zero carbon (an A rating) by 2040.

Quick search