The City of Montreal recently presented the third edition of its inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE), this time dating to 2013. It lists greenhouse gas emissions for Greater Montreal and compares them to emissions for 1990, which serves as the baseline for reducing gas emissions.

In 2013 the commercial and institutional sector was in third place, accounting for 15% of GGE. Emissions were reduced by 27% from 1990 to 2013, going from 2319 kt. of CO₂ equivalent to 1685 kt. of CO₂ equivalent, despite a 14% increase in total building area in this sector, and a slight 3% increase in daily heating degree days. Energy intensity went from 1.97 to 1.49 GJ/m² in the period 1990 to 2013. According to the inventory report, that decrease can be explained by increased energy efficiency in buildings and heating systems.

In the meantime, the Quebec Greenhouse Gas Inventory from 1990 to 2013 presented by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change reveals that gas emissions in the commercial and institutional sector fell by 3.88% in Quebec from 1990 to 2013. According to the report, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in this sector is the burning of fossil fuels in building heating systems.

Geneviève Gauthier, Econoler
Member of the Integrated Technical Management Committee