Montreal
A Greener Montreal: The Nexus of Innovation and Sustainability
Businesses from all over the world have stationed their offices in Montreal; taking advantage of the federal hydroelectricity incentive and the large technological network harbored in the city.
Montréal is also home to several important research universities and organizations dedicated to the cause of clean technology. Collaborative research between École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Concordia University, Polytechnique Montréal, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Ericsson aims to use AI to reduce the energy use of 5G networks. Brainbox AI is working to make the real estate sector more energy sufficient. Other organizations focused on global sustainably and food security based in the city include Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) and Future Earth.
The United Nations has six agencies in Montreal and will be adding another dedicated solely to the Global Programme on Green, Resilient Sustainable Cities. Not only is Montreal the home to groundbreaking clean tech research, but also global discussion of such topics. In December of 2022, Montreal hosted 188 governments at the United Nations conference on Biodiversity, widely known as Cop 15. By the end of the conference, a historic agreement was made to cut the loss of biodiversity by 2030.
Carbon Neutral by 2050
Like Paris, New York, and Toronto; Montreal has set a bold target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In doing so, the city will take on the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent below 1990 levels. The Climate Plan 2020-2030 provides the framework for execution and implementation of 46 measures that will be set in motion by 2030, ensuring successes by the target year. In efforts to galvanize support from all sectors of society, 46 measures are divided into 16 subgroups belonging to five key action categories:
Sector #1: Mobilization of the Montreal Community
Sector #2: Mobility, urban planning, and urban development
Sector #3: Buildings
Sector #4: Exemplarity of the city
Sector #5: Governance
Montreal emphasizes the move towards greater sustainability as a collective project and proposes that collective action will bring on the desired result of a more resilient, inclusive, and carbon neutral society.
Partnership in Action
Montreal’s plan climate action strategy is ambitious but comes without a second option. The city is already experiencing the impact of climate change through increased floods, wildfires, heatwaves, and ice storms. In April 2023, an intense ice storm resulted in a frozen city with fallen branches and damaged vehicles and powerlines. One million Quebec households were left without power. In recent years, summers have been accompanied by record-breaking heatwaves that have unfortunately resulted in multiple deaths. In recent years, summers have been accompanied by record-breaking heatwaves that have unfortunately resulted in multiple deaths. The summer of 2023 has seen massive forest fires throughout Quebec that have impacted air quality across the eastern seaboard, and as far west as Atlanta.
“It’s about taking action now and removing the obstacles that prevent us from taking action. The only way to do it is to do it together.”
- Karel Mayrand, President, Foundation of Greater Montreal
Montreal has partnered with organizations that acknowledge the urgency for a more effective response to climate change. The C40 Cities is a global network of mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis. With an inclusive, science-based and collaborative approach, the organization supports member cities in their goals to reduce emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C, and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Montreal serves as a steering committee member and has been a part since 2016. Some other North American cities apart of this alliance are: Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Austin, Houston, Chicago, Boston and Miami. Atlanta is not among these cities.
The Montreal Climate Partnership formed with the primary purpose to hold the city accountable while monitoring its progress to carbon neutrality. MCP’s mission is to mobilize economic, philanthropic, institutional, and community forces to accelerate the decarbonization of the metropolis and strengthen its resilience. In May, the partnership of the city and MCP hosted their second annual Climate Summit which brought together many community leaders and key stakeholders in the city’s world of sustainability and climate action. The focus of this year’s summit was to accelerate the pace of climate action in Montréal by 2030 and to review progress made since last year.
A Local Initiative: Urban Farming
Community rooftop garden. Photo from Microhabitat
Montreal is bringing agricultural farming to its local neighborhoods. Community gardens like rooftop hives, corporate farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and indoor verticals are being normalized in the city, and local families can take advantage as well. It is estimated that around 42% of the population practices urban farming at home. The benefits are numerous: reduces greenhouse gases, mitigates heat islands, adds property value, protects biodiversity, and supports overall wellness. These efforts are driving Montreal to become a self-sufficient food city.
Microhabitat, an urban farming company, shares the impact of their work all over North America reaching cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, and of course Montreal. This company installs community gardens directly onto commercial and residential properties and performs weekly maintenance. Microhabitat is led by the vision of building a greener, healthier society and world by reconnecting people with nature and their food. According to Microhabitat, “Our turnkey urban farming practice, which flourished in Montréal in recent years, contributes global efforts to reducing heat waves, greening urban areas and aims to rekindle the nourishing function of the metropolis.”
Comparable Atlanta organizations are: Concrete Jungle , AgLanta , Metro Atlanta Urban Farm , and Food Well Alliance . You may have heard of these organizations’, but if you have not, please take a chance to check them out.
The world’s largest commercial rooftop greenhouse build by Lufa Farms in Ville Saint Laurent
Converted from an office roof top into a 31,000-square-foot greenhouse, the world’s first commercial rooftop farm was erected by, the founders of Lufa Farms in 2011. Since then, Lufa Farms has built three bigger and better rooftop greenhouses within the city. Atop of a warehouse sits their fourth rooftop greenhouse, also the world’s largest, spanning 160,000 square feet; the equivalent of three football fields. Lufa farms is said to be pushing forward the urban agriculture movement; by serving its cliental, aka Lufavores, via direct delivery or transporting produce to designated Lufa Farms pick up stations.
Good Neighbors in Montreal
Just last year, Montreal was dubbed “The Most Sustainable Destination in North America”, largely due to the offerings of Tourisme Montréal . The Global Destinations Sustainability Index compared the work of Tourisme Montreal to promote sutainable tourism against seventy measures derived from the United Nation’s 2030 agenda which focuses on environmental, social, supplier engagement, and destination management.
Taking action is not only for the locals. As a tourist, you too can make immediate efforts in promising a climate friendly future! Your shared commitment to sustainability starts with taking the Visitor's Pledge.
“While in Montréal, I do not consider myself just a visitor, I see myself as a honorary local. Although I may just be passing through, I promise to enjoy everything the city has to offer in a respectful and responsible manner… As a citizen of the world, I respect your home. Even if I’m just here for a little while, I will do my best to act like a good neighbor. ”
The entire pledge brings awareness to the city’s mission for sustainability and encourages tourists; now honorary locals, to get involved. It acknowledges that small implementations such as reusable bottles, cups, and bags, sustainable transportation, and eating at locally sourced restaurants can make a huge impact. Montreal invites you to join in the movement. Be a good neighbor!
After taking the oath, you might try the Tourisme Montréal tool that will calculate the carbon footprint of your entire visit. Your footprint, including the mode of travel that got you to Monteal, once calculated, can be converted to a monetary value that can be donated to the development of more greenspace within the city.
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