Having examined how targeted incentives can encourage builders to adopt the Passivhaus standard and other sustainable building practices, we now turn our attention to Montreal. In this third and final part of the series, I'll analyze the current situation in Quebec and Montreal in particular, exploring past and present initiatives aimed at making buildings more energy efficient. You'll see how policies such as the NovoClimat standard and recent regulations on GHG emissions have shaped the construction environment in the region. This in-depth look will help us understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing Montreal in its quest for zero-emission buildings.
The situation in Montreal and the Quebec contextLa situation de Montréal et le contexte québécois
What's the situation in Quebec?
Here's a brief history:
1999 - Introduction of the NovoClimat standard to build more energy-efficient buildings;
2003 - Creation of the Green Building Council to pave the way for an energy transition in Canada;
2006 - New Sustainable Development Act incorporates 16 key principles to guide the Quebec government in its decisions;
2012 - Revision of the construction code with new energy performance standards, followed by publication of a new version of the NovoClimat standard (NovoClimat 2.0);
2016 - Creation of Carbon Neutral certification by the Canada Green Building Council;
2020 - Introduction of the Energy Efficiency Code, targeting a 28% improvement in the energy performance of new buildings.
Montreal's big goal: zero-emission buildings by 2040
In 2023, the City of Montreal has decided to put its foot on the gas pedal by adopting measures to achieve its target of decarbonizing buildings 10 years earlier than planned, in 2040 rather than 2050. The city wants to tackle the greenhouse gases emitted by commercial, residential and institutional buildings, which account for some 26% of the city's GHG emissions.
Regulatory changes
The transition began in 2021 with the introduction of the Regulation respecting the disclosure and rating of greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings, encouraging owners to become more aware of their energy consumption.
A further step towards this goal has been taken with the new Regulation respecting greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings, which will limit the use of heating systems that generate GHG emissions in new construction. This measure will be phased in between 2024 and 2025.
In the coming years, large buildings (over 2,000 m2) will also be required to display their GHG emissions performance through a rating system. The aim of this measure is to inform the public, but also to encourage owners to aim for the best possible ratings, with a view to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040.
But what about small and existing buildings?
Acting on the built environment
Many of the buildings that will make up our environment in 2040 are already built. How can we make an impact on existing buildings?
The first step is to get rid of the fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, still present in many buildings. Since 2023, the city has been requiring mandatory declaration of fuel-burning heating appliances, with the aim of establishing a short- to medium-term replacement plan with owners. The elimination of this type of heating has already reduced GHG emissions in residential buildings by almost 50% and in commercial and institutional buildings by more than 25% over the past 30 years, but these reductions are insufficient to meet the city's targets.
The second step, as illustrated by the case of Vancouver, is to work on improving the building envelope to reduce energy requirements as much as possible. Waste and over-consumption must also be tackled, in part through better design and optimization of spaces.
Finally, install high-performance mechanical systems, such as heat pumps, to meet the remaining energy needs.
Unfortunately, a number of factors are slowing the pace of emissions reduction. To meet Quebec's 2050 carbon-neutral targets, we would need to renovate our housing stock at a rate of 5% per year, whereas the current average is around 0.5%.
What are the obstacles?
Low rates of energy-efficient renovation;
Lack of ambition in terms of environmental performance when renovating;
The energy inefficiency of new construction;
The increasing number and size of mechanical equipment.
Local incentives
For the time being, Quebec builders can follow the guidelines of several sustainable certifications, including LEED, Passivhaus, Zero Carbon, NovoClimat, etc... The introduction of energy ratings for all buildings, from small to large, as is the case in France, could be a first step in encouraging energy-efficient renovation.
The French energy rating system
At residential level, France assigns each dwelling an official energy rating ranging from A for the most efficient to G for the least efficient, on a seven-level scale. This rating is intended not only to enhance the energy efficiency of homes, but also to inform buyers and tenants about the energy performance of their potential home. What's more, the recent reform of the French Climate and Resilience Act prohibits the rental of homes rated F and G from 2025 and 2028 respectively, and blocks rent increases for these categories starting next August, encouraging landlords to renovate them to make them more efficient.
There are also a few financial incentives to undertake better energy performance projects, with the government programs NovoClimat, RénoClimat and Hydro-Québec's Logis Vert. However, these programs target specific elements and rarely evaluate a building's overall performance. These financial incentives, aimed primarily at residential renovation, are also often insufficient to really make a difference at the decision-making level, since they target performance improvements of around 15-20% with NovoClimat, rather than 80% as with Passivhaus. What's often missing, then, is the incentive to make the transition to truly energy-efficient construction.
The city of Brussels, for its part, has had strict renovation requirements for nearly 10 years. If renovation work is extensive, involving more than 50% of exterior walls and replacement of technical systems (heating, ventilation, etc.), owners must include improvements to their building to achieve new energy performance standards. Numerous subsidy opportunities are available to encourage homeowners to do so. This remains the most effective way of accelerating the transformation of the built environment.
Knowing that a large proportion of the world's existing building stock will need to be renovated in the short to medium term, it is imperative to provide a framework for this aspect of the industry too!
Barriers, challenges and opportunities
At the local regulatory level, the city of Montreal a few years ago incorporated points concerning green roofs, windows and insulation into its building bylaws, but nothing more. At the same time, a number of regulations still stand in the way of innovative projects. All too often, project developers are faced with poorly trained and under-resourced teams when applying for building permits.
So we need to look at the reason behind the regulations, and see how we can achieve the objective without hindering projects wishing to improve our built environment. As was the case in the city of Vancouver, educating the staff of the city's planning departments would be a good first step in creating alliances with professionals wishing to take their projects to the next level, and then help break down regulatory barriers.
Towards immediate action: Accelerating the transition to sustainability
In conclusion, the lessons learned from the ambitious energy-efficient building initiatives of Vancouver and many European cities offer Montreal a valuable model. To accelerate its own transition to carbon neutrality, Montreal must not only set ambitious targets and adapt strategies to its unique context, but also strengthen financial incentives, awareness and education to overcome regulatory and cultural barriers. Only a strong community commitment and an innovative regulatory framework will make the vision of a sustainable future for all a reality.
To rapidly transform the building industry and building standards, we need to find the people who build the way we want to build, encourage them, break down regulatory barriers, and finally follow them down this new path by implementing regulations that follow their initiatives.
Sean Pander, director of Vancouver's Green Building Committee
With his Find, Feed and Follow strategy
Reducing GHG emissions from buildings, responsible for 30% of global emissions, is a climate emergency. By 2030, it is estimated that the equivalent of 60% of existing built area will need to be built or rebuilt, and this presents an opportunity to act on the built environment to reduce greenhouse gases and reduce our future climate vulnerabilities. It is imperative that decision-makers, building professionals and the public commit now to a sustainable future, without waiting for regulations to be upgraded. We need leaders to show the way!
Are you a building official, planning consultant or urban planner?
Find out about the different standards and regulations for energy-efficient construction. Study what has been done in these pioneering cities and see what can be done here. You have the power to make things happen by changing regulations, but also by providing better support for professionals. By working together, we can achieve these ambitious goals.
Are you an architect?
Find out more about LEED and Passivhaus standards, so you can take your projects to the next level. To convince your customers that this is the way forward, you need to be convinced yourself that this is the way to a more sustainable future.
Are you a citizen?
We can all have an impact on our environment, with every decision we make. Make those around you aware of energy-efficient building: share this article to show everyone what other cities and countries are doing to make a real shift towards energy-efficient construction, and above all, let's work together to influence the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Sources:
Bureau de la transition écologique et de la résilience (2022). Feuille de route Vers des bâtiments montréalais zéro émission dès 2040, Document de consultation pour la Commission sur l’eau, l’environnement, le développement durable et les grands parcs.
Ordre des architectes du Québec (2023). Milieux de vie durables et résilients, vidéo de formation aux membres.
Hélène Mercier (Journaliste). (11 fév. 2022). Évaluer le rendement énergétique de son logement, segment du 15-18. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/le-15-18/segments/chronique/390447/rendement-energetique-chauffage-electricite-france-loi-cote
About the author :
Kim Cloutier is an experienced architect with a career marked by projects focused on simplicity and sustainability. She is a certified LEED Passive House Designer and Green Associate, demonstrating her commitment to high standards of energy performance and environmental sustainability. Kim aspires to promote healthier living through her projects, with a focus on creating healthy, sustainable environments.
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