montreal - us and canada green city index
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8/4/2019 Montreal - US and Canada Green City Index
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reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by2020 from 1990 levels. As a first step in thisdirection, in 2007 Montreal adopted a plan toreduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by2012. Specific measures include reducing de-pendence on cars by encouraging publictransit and bicycling alternatives, reducinggreenhouse gas emissions from buildings, andpublic awareness campaigns on climate changetargeted at residents and employees.
Energy: 26th, 33.8 pointsMontreal's rank in this category is driven in part
by per capita electricity consumption of 68 giga- joules per person compared with the Index aver-age of 52 gigajoules, but primarily by electricity
consumption per unit of GDP, which at 956 giga- joules per $1 million of GDP is nearly three timesthe average of 332 gigajoules. Montreal is thesecond coldest city in the Index, resulting in highenergy usage during winter months. The city’senergy policies also have room for improve-ment. It does not appear to have incentives inplace to encourage local energy production, forexample; however, with 97% of electricity forthe city and surrounding province supplied byrenewable hydropower, there is less reason forMontreal to establish its own programs. On theother hand, Montreal runs a clean energy pro-gram and pilot projects in solar and geothermalpower (see “green initiatives” below).
Green initiatives: Fonds Energie is a $3 millioncity-run investment program to finance energyefficiency and clean energy projects in munici-pal districts. Eight projects, including energyefficiency retrofits and clean energy heating sys-tems, have received $2 million in backing since2008. The projects have combined to eliminatethe equivalent of nearly 800 tons of CO2, andthe program has won a national award for
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Montreal
with other low-income cities in the Index, rank-ing fifth out of 11 cities in this bracket. It is in thetop half of the group of low-income cities for allbut two categories, energy and water.
CO2: Tenth, 80.1 pointsThe city has among the lowest per capita CO2
emissions in the Index, at 8.5 metric tons perperson compared with the Index average of14.5 metric tons. Although Montreal belongs tothe group of low temperature cities in this Indexand requires more power for that reason, itderives almost all of its electricity from hydro -power, which greatly reduces its carbon output.In terms of emissions per unit of GDP, though,Montreal’s low income hurts its score. The cityemits an estimated 268 metric tons of CO 2 per$1 million of GDP, but this is still slightly betterthan the Index average of 296. Montreal hasmade commitments to reduce emissions further(see “green initiatives” below).
Green initiatives: As part of the MunicipalLeaders Summit on Climate Change held inDecember 2005 in Montreal, the city agreed to
Montreal is the largest city in the French-speaking province of Quebec, and with
1.6 million people it is the second largest city inCanada and the sixth largest city in the US andCanada Green City Index. Montreal’s metropoli-tan area expands beyond the Island of Montrealto include 3.6 million people, and a mix of cityand metropolitan area data are used for thisIndex. Although Montreal is the financial hub forQuebec, the city remains relatively industrial,boasting one of the largest inland ports in theworld. In total, goods make up 20% of employ-ment, the fourth largest percentage in theIndex. Additionally, although Montreal is theeconomic capital of Quebec, Montreal’s GDP percapita is the lowest in the Index at an estimated$31,500.Montreal ranks 19th overall in the 27-city Index.The city’s strongest category is transport, whereit places fourth, a performance due mainly tohaving the second highest percentage of non-automobile commuters in the Index. Montreal’soverall score is in part a result of its low incomeand limited funding for environmental initia-tives. However, Montreal fares better compared
municipal climate change and poverty reductionprograms. Montreal has begun pilot projects toimplement solar and geothermal energy inmunicipal buildings. These projects aim toestablish standard specifications to allow thecity to increase the use of renewable energy onmunicipal property. Montreal promises to com-plete at least one renewable energy pro- ject annually for the next three years in citybuildings.
Land use: 12th, 57.7 pointsLike other island citi es such as New York and Van-
couver, Montreal has a favorable populationdensity, with 11,500 people per square mile(4,400 people per square kilometer) compared
with the average of 8,100 people per squaremile (3,100 people per square kilometer). Mon-treal also has a considerable share of greenspace, at 19% compared with the Index averageof 12%, placing it among the top five cities inthis indicator. Despite these statistics, Montreal’sland use policies are less developed than thoseof most of its peers in the Index. While it is seek-ing to increase its amount of green space (see“green initiatives” below), the city is one of onlyfive that does not have a tree-planting policy.
Green initiatives:In 2010 the city set a goal toincrease the percentage of green space fromabout 19% to 25% by 2025. As part of this goal,Montreal has created 10 “ecoterritories”, specialzones of protection for natural areas. It is alsocreating promenades through the city’s mostdensely populated sections and reassessingpotential threats to green space such as plantinfestations resulting from warming tempera-tures. Another initiative, Revi-Sols, is a brown-field rehabilitation program that helps propertyowners and developers pay to clean up sites bycontributing up to half of the costs. Since 1998
the program has subsidized clean132 development projects in Montreal,nearly 509 acres.
Buildings: 19th, 36.4 pointsMontreal has 1.7 buildings per 100,00certified by Leadership in Energy andmental Design (LEED) compared with average of 6.4, although a recent “green initiatives” below) is likely to lecreases in LEED certification for both renovated buildings. Montreal hasauthority in mandating energy efficien
or regulations, but the provincial govruns buildings-related programs, suching up to $1 million in financial incecompanies that improve the energy efftheir buildings.
Green initiatives: From 2010 Monrequired LEED gold certification for all lic buildings of more than 500 squarand LEED silver certification for all majotions to public buildings. To be certifiings must meet minimum requiremenergy savings, water efficiency, CO2 ereduction and improved indoor envirquality.
Transport: Fourth, 65.3 poinTransport is Montreal’s strongest categ
treal’s public transit system in general the best in the Index. It has the sixth lontem, at 2.1 miles per square mile (1.3 kper square kilometer), compared with average of 1.1 miles (0.7 kilometers),city has 18 public vehicles available pmile (7 vehicles per square kilometerthe average of nine vehicles per sq
Background indicators
Total population 1) 1.6 million
Administrative area (miles2) 1) 141
GDP per person (real) (US$) 2) 31,500
Temperature (24-hour average, annual) (°F) 1) 43
Goods employment (%) 2) 20
Services employment (%) 2) 80
Geographicalbasis:1)City,2)CMA
US and Canada Green City Index
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Waste
Transport
Water
CO2MontrealBestAverage
Air
Environmentalgovernance
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(3.5 vehicles per square kilometer). While thecity’s average commute time is longer thannormal due to long commutes from elsewherein the metropolitan area onto the island, thecity’s high population density ensures efficienttransport once in the city of Montreal. The city’shigh score is also driven by having the secondhighest share of non-automobile commuters –29% of workers commute by public transit, bicy-cle, or on foot, more than double the Index aver-age of 13%.
Green initiatives: Montreal introduced Cana-
da’s first self-service bicycle rental network, BIXI,in 2009. With 5,000 bicycles and 400 dockingstations, it is currently the largest bicycle shareprogram in North America. Also, Montreal creat-ed a transportation master plan in 2008 as partof a wider strategy to address sustainability. Theplan aims to implement 21 initiatives by 2018,including a downtown tramway system, up-grades and extensions to the subway, a rail lineto the airport, a bus rapid transit system and pri-ority bus lanes, doubling the length of the city’sbicycle paths, and improving walkability in thedowntown. Finally, Montreal is buying high-fuel-efficiency diesel buses as well as hybridbuses, and plans to have an entirely electric busfleet by 2025.
Water: 26th, 47.2 points
Montreal has both the highest water distribu-tion leakage rate, at 35% compared with theIndex average of 13%, and the highest per capi-ta water consumption, at 293 gallons (1,110liters), compared with the average of 155 gal-lons (587 liters). The two statistics are linked.One major cause of Montreal’s high water con-sumption figure is leakage and that means near-ly half of the water is not actually “consumed.”The city promotes water conservation, but untilthe city’s aging pipes are replaced, it will contin-ue to produce high rates of leaks and, corre-spondingly, consumption.
Green initiatives: In 2002 Montreal beganinstalling water meters at all businesses andpublic institutions such as schools and hospitals,and aims to have installed 30,000 meters by2013. Though meters are not required for resi-dences, the city is raising public awarenessof water conservation in homes, including send-ing teams of students to deliver door-to-doorwater conservation messages. In 2008 Montrealpassed a bylaw requiring a permit for industrialfacilities to dispose of wastewater into the city’streatment system. In 2008 more than 760,000cubic meters of wastewater was properly treat-ed and discharged into the sewer system – 40%more than in 2007.
Waste: Ninth, 63.7 pointsThe city is above average in recycling, with a34% recycling rate compared with the Indexaverage of 26%, driven by extensive recyclingfacilities available to the public, including sepa-rate facilities for hazardous materials such asbatteries or paint. Montreal also has a compre-hensive waste reduction plan (see “green initia-tives” below) and is making efforts to convertwaste to energy, although these programs arestill in the pilot stage.
Green initiatives: Montreal has a comprehen-sive plan to increase the amount of total wasterecovered through recycling and compostingfrom 31% in 2008 to 80% by 2019. The city’scommitments include banning single-use waterbottles in municipal buildings, replacing plasticsused in city food banks, offering organic wastecollection to all residents, and building newcomposting centers. In another initiative, in2008 Montreal put together a database of wastematerials that can be converted into works of artand began connecting donors with artists. Tohighlight these efforts, the city has hosted eco-designer bazaars in which eco-designers can selland demonstrate works of art made from thesematerials.
Air: Eighth, 79.5 pointsThe city ranks slightly better than the averagesfor the three pollutants evaluated in the Index.It emits an estimated 57 lb (26 kg) of nitrogenoxides per person, compared with the Indexaverage of 66 lb (30 kg); 18 lb (8 kg) of particu-late matter per person, compared with the aver-age of 25 lb (11 kg); and 10 lb (5kg) of sulfurdioxide per person, compared with the Indexaverage of 22 lb (10 kg). While these figuresare estimates, one of Montreal’s chief efforts
recently has been to improve measurement ofair pollutants, ensuring greater accuracy in thecoming years and helping improve both residen-tial and commercial pollution.
Green initiatives: In 2008 Montreal authori-ties adopted an action plan aiming to counterpollution caused by wood heating, a majorsource of residential air pollution in the city. Theplan contained new regulations on burning anda public awareness campaign.
Environmental governance:20th, 74.4 pointsAlthough the city has a strong environmentalstrategy complete with ambitious targets andfully backed by the mayor, it is less open aboutreporting its environmental statistics. However,the city has run programs in the past to raisegeneral awareness of environmental issuesamong city residents.
Green initiatives: Montreal’s Community Sus-tainable Development Plan 2010-2015 was de-veloped in collaboration with over 180 partnerorganizations, including civil society. The plancalls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emis-sions, the responsible management of naturalresources, the adoption of sustainable develop-ment practices in industry, business and institu-tions, and the protection of biodiversity andgreen spaces. Additionally, Montreal offerstraining to help citizens better manage theirhousehold waste, and informational sessions onclimate change for organizations involved inenvironmental protection. City officials havealso taught college-level courses on environ-mental issues, and city employees have trainedalmost 1,000 students and food handlers onsustainable practices.
Quantitative indicators
CO2
Energy
Land use
Buildings
Transport
Waste
Water
Air
CO2 emissions per unit of GDP (metric tons/US$m)
CO2 emissions per person (metric tons)
Electricity consumption per unit of US$ GDP (TJ/US$m)
Electricity consumption per person (G J)
Green spaces as % of total area (%)
Population density (persons/miles2)
Number of LEED certified buildings (silver, gold or platinum)(buildings/100,000 persons)
Share of workers traveling by public transport, bicycle, or foot (%)
Length of public transport (miles/miles2)
Annual vehicle revenue miles (miles/person)
Maximum public transport vehicles availableper square mile (vehicles/miles2)
Average commute time from residence to work (minutes)
Recycled municipal waste (%)
Total water consumption per person per day (gallons)
Water leakages in water distribution system (%)
Nitrogen oxides emissions per annum (pounds/person)
Particulate matter (PM10) emissions per annum (pounds/person)
Sulfur dioxide emissions per annum (pounds/person)
Comments
Using estimated city GDP
Using city population
Using CMA GDP
Using city population
Using area of city in 2006
Equivalent in metric units:4,439 persons/km²
Using city population
Using city area; Equivalentin metric units: 1.3 km/km²
Using CMA population; Equivin metric units: 39.1 km/perso
Using city area; Equivalent inmetric units: 7.0 vehicles/km²
Using city population; Equivalin metric units: 1,109.5 liters
NOx from non-industrial, mob
waste sources. Data point has down from provincial level byof GDP represented by MontrEquivalent in metric units: 26
PM10 from non-industrial, mo
waste sources. Data point has down from provincial level byof GDP represented by MontrEquivalent in metric units: 8 k
SOx from non-industrial, mob
waste sources. Data point has down from provincial level byof GDP represented by MontrEquivalent in metric units: 5 k
Average
296.4
14.5
0.33
52.2
11.9
8,106.8
6.4
13.0
1.1
24.4
9.0
28.9
25.8
155.1
12.8
66
25
22
Basis
City
City
City
City
City
City
City
CMA
Metro-area
Metro-area
Metro-area
CMA
City
City
City
City
City
City
Year
2006
2003
2009
2009
2006
2006
2010
2006
2009
2010
2010
2005
2009
2010
2009
2009
2008
2008
Montreal
268.5
8.5
0.96
67.6
18.5
11,496.1
1.7
28.8
2.1
24.3
18.0
38.0
34.0
293.1
35.0
57
18
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Category Indicator Source
City of Montreal
City of Montreal
City of Montreal
City of Montreal
City of Montreal
Statistics Canada
CaGBC LEED Database
Statistics Canada
Société de Transport de Montréal
Société de Transport de Montréal
Société de Transport de Montréal
Statistics Canada
City of Montreal
City of Montreal
City of Montreal,Division of Public Affairs
Environment Canada,Statistics Canada
Environment Canada,Statistics Canada
Environment Canada,Statistics Canada
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