Starting in 2025, all new buildings in Montreal will be required to meet a “zero emission” greenhouse gas (GHG) performance threshold.
With this measure, the City of Montreal wishes to advance by 10 years its objective that all the buildings on its territory be “zero emissions”, the goal now being to reach this target for 2040.
“For new buildings, it’s to stop building by installing systems that are not 100% renewable energy. Then, it will be, in the existing systems, to plan so that by 2040 there will be no more”, explained Marie-Andrée Mauger, responsible for the ecological transition and the environment at the executive committee of the City. from Montreal.
It specifies that in the residential sector, the main carbon footprint comes from heating, when it is not electric.
Mme Mauger made the announcement on Tuesday morning, along with the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, as part of the Climate Summit which was taking place in Montreal.
“There is no later. Now is the time to save the planet. It is now that we put in the necessary efforts. We all have the ability, in our respective fields of expertise, to go further,” said Ms.me Plant.
The City’s announcement is part of its Climate Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases produced on its territory by 55% by 2030. According to the City’s calculations, the building sector accounts for approximately 30% of GHG emissions in Montreal.
To achieve these objectives, the Plante administration intends to do so gradually. In the next year, it plans to conduct public consultations, with a view to adopting a regulation in 2023.
This will come into force in 2024 for new buildings of less than 2,000 square meters, and will apply to all new construction the following year.
As for existing buildings, those of less than 2000 square meters will have to declare, from 2023, all heating appliances using fuel.
“This single declaration will make it possible to better target support and awareness approaches for owners in order to accelerate the transition to less polluting systems”, is it indicated in the documentation of the City.
For buildings in place of more than 2,000 square meters, “the roadmap includes the gradual imposition of performance thresholds to be achieved”, so that they are fully powered by renewable energies by 2040.
Hydro-Québec has indicated that it will collaborate with the City of Montreal for the decarbonization of buildings in the metropolis.
“The decarbonisation of our economy notably involves the efficient electrification of existing buildings. As much as we must reduce the use of fossil fuels, it is important to do so at the best possible cost,” said Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Hydro-Québec.
Other commitments
Some organizations took advantage of their presence at the Climate Summit to present concrete commitments that they intend to put in place over the next few years.
Ivanhoé Cambridge has thus committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its Montreal buildings by 55% by 2030. The company owns several emblematic buildings, including Place Ville-Marie and the Hôtel Reine Élizabeth.
“Across all of our buildings, 80% of our emissions come from [ces deux immeubles]. We will convert heating systems and invest in energy efficiency,” explained Élise Proulx, head of Quebec economic development at Ivanhoé Cambridge.
The Regional Public Health Department (DRSP) also announced a collaboration with the City of Montreal to assess “more finely” and anticipate the possible repercussions of climate change on the health of the population.
It will also identify the public policies needed to foster “community resilience”.
In Montreal, the effect of climate change on public health is particularly visible during heat waves, according to the DD Mylène Drouin, director of the DRSP. Zoonoses, such as Lyme disease, are another example, as are floods and severe cold.
“The most vulnerable are often the most affected, because their environment is probably less adapted to these risks”, she summarized.
The Environment Ministers of Canada and Quebec, Steven Guilbault and Benoit Charrette, were also present for the event, which brought together 500 participants.
“Today, I have to represent all of the Canadian population, and accept that I cannot win all my battles. You are disappointed with my decision to Baie du Nord, I know that. Don’t think that by being in government, I can settle everything and decide everything alone, ”he admitted.
A successful event
For Karel Mayrand, President and CEO of the Foundation of Greater Montreal and Co-President of Montreal Climate Partnership, the Summit was a success.
“What we hoped for when we launched the idea of a Summit was to create that date, where it would encourage organizations to come and make announcements,” he revealed. A success in his eyes, while some companies have made commitments in terms of the environment.
“We wanted it to be concrete. Not that we are announcing that we are going to think about something, ”he added.
It was the first time that the Summit had taken place. He hopes to be able to make it an annual event, and that more companies and institutions will take the opportunity to take action on the environment.
On Tuesday, 500 people came to attend. “We were afraid that we would have to cancel, we didn’t know if people were going to come. But we’ve been full for 10 days. We had to refuse people,” he exclaimed.