By 2025, municipalities representing about half of Quebec’s population will significantly reduce the number of new buildings heated with fossil fuels. Buildings of less than three floors will not use fossil fuels; however, larger buildings are allowed to use renewable natural gas.
The Montreal Metropolitan Community Council Announced last week passed a resolution to ban the installation of fossil fuel-powered water and space heating in residential, commercial and institutional buildings. The council, which represents 82 municipalities, sent the draft regulation to the Quebec Ministry of the Environment for approval and aims to have it in force by January 2025. Before then, there will be information sessions for municipalities.
There are certain areas where municipalities can reduce emissions. After transportation, “it’s the construction sector that tops the list,” explained Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who is also president of the council.
In Canada, fossil fuel-based building heating systems constitute 13 percent of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The proportion reaches 18 percent if electricity for cooking, lighting and appliances is included.
The resolution will apply to 79 municipalities since some that are part of the council have already taken the step. Notably, Montreal announced it will no longer allow gas in new buildings up to three floors starting in October 2024, and will ban the use of fossil fuels starting in April 2025 in larger new buildings. Candiac and Mont-Saint-Hilaire also have statutes.
The resolution is “great news,” explained Andréanne Brazeau, climate policy analyst at Équiterre, who noted that municipalities taking the reins to decarbonize the construction sector send a strong signal to the Quebec government.
“We are waiting for the Quebec government to present such a regulation for the entire province. In fact, we expected it to be announced at COP28 in December and it is not out yet,” he said. “But this news really shows that the municipal level is ready for it and is not going to wait for the Quebec government.”
According to the council, the regulation will prevent 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, the equivalent of the emissions of more than 100,000 gasoline cars driven for one year.
In an emailed statement, Émilie Charbonneau, the council’s environmental adviser, explained that its regulation is “largely inspired by that of Montreal.” There are some differences: Montreal’s ban includes barbecues and stoves, which the council will continue to allow. Another key difference is that renewable natural gas will be allowed in buildings with more than three floors.
The resolution is “important news,” explained @andreannebraz of @equiterre, who noted that municipalities taking the reins to decarbonize the construction sector send a strong signal to the Quebec government.
Renewable natural gas (RNG), which is obtained from organic waste rather than fossil deposits, is not a climate solution, explains Brazeau: although it comes from different sources than typical natural gas, it still releases emissions. It is largely seen as a false solution and an attempt by industry to greenwash fossil fuels.
While Brazeau describes allowing any gas as a “red flag,” Équiterre acknowledges that buildings that are harder to decarbonize may need to rely on GNR in the short term. However, “what we recommend is that [the council] “Establish an annual or periodic review of regulation to eventually also ban renewable natural gas in the long term, because it is not compatible with achieving net zero emissions.”
Municipalities take the initiative
The advice banning fossil fuels in new buildings fits into a broader move across North America of municipalities working to reduce emissions from the construction sector. New York State is leading the way in the United States by eliminating gas hookups and use in new developments across the state, following the lead of other American cities such as seattle.
Last summer, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Announced New buildings will not be able to use natural gas as a primary heat source starting in July 2024. Vancouver was on track to ban natural gas stoves and fireplaces before its city council rejected a motion to ban natural gas hookups in buildings. new buildings in May. 2023.
Quebec does not face the same natural gas lobby as British Columbia, nor is it as dependent on the fossil fuel. According According to Statistics Canada, about two-thirds of homes in Quebec use electric baseboard heaters or electric radiant heating. Compared, more than 50 percent of homes in British Columbia use natural gas for heating.