The City of Montréal Updates By-law 21-042 on Greenhouse Gas Emission Disclosure and Rating of Large Buildings
Updated: Aug 7
The City of Montréal has issued Ordinance CE/21-042 (001), introducing changes to the By-law 21-042 on the Disclosure and Rating of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Large Buildings.
This update marks the next phase in Montréal’s effort to benchmark building emissions, contributing to the city’s broader goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
Building ratings are now part of the by-law
Every property subject to Montréal By-law 21-042 will now receive a GHG performance grade (AAA to F) based on the emissions intensity of its reported energy data. Buildings that fail to report or submit incomplete information will appear as “R – Non-Reporting.”
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) performance rating scale under Montréal By-law 21-042 — from AAA (net-zero) to F (very high emissions), plus R for non-reporting.
How are ratings calculated?
Using the data reported through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the City calculates annual emissions per square metre and compares each building to others of similar type and use. These ratings will be used to identify high-emission buildings and those that fail to comply with the reporting requirements, meaning incomplete or inaccurate data can now directly affect both your public score and your exposure to fines.
Public disclosure of results
For the first time, Montréal will publish these ratings online through its official disclosure portal. There is no requirement to post the rating on the building itself — the disclosure will appear only on the City’s public database.
How This Affects You
Every building covered by By-law 21-042 will now receive a greenhouse gas performance rating, and all ratings will be published by the City of Montréal. The publication will show each building’s rating based on the energy data submitted. If the data is incomplete, inaccurate, or not submitted, the building will receive a low or “R” (non-reporting) rating, and the owner may be fined under the by-law.
Have you submitted your report to the City of Montréal?
The reporting deadline has passed, but building owners can still take action to complete their submission and address compliance requirements.
Zenith Net-Zero helps commercial building owners and managers navigate Montréal By-law 21-042, including ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager benchmarking, data review, reporting assistance, and compliance support.
Contact us today to review your building’s reporting status and ensure your energy data is ready for Montréal’s public disclosure requirements.
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