Over the last two decades, the building industry has been developing new ways of decreasing energy use and related carbon emissions in new buildings ? be it through the use of a range of rating systems or improved building codes such as BC?s Step Code ? but programs and policies to drive reductions in the existing building stock have proved more challenging.   
Photo by Mariana Montes de Oca on Unsplash
In early 2022, the City of Montreal rolled out a new requirement for large, existing buildings to measure and disclose their fossil fuel usage on an annual basis. Tracking and disclosing energy usage will be followed by mandatory reduction targets. This comes on the heels of legislation implemented by the Province of Quebec that will prohibit new oil-based heating systems and limit new natural gas systems, beginning in 2024. These are bold moves, and so watching how these policies roll out in Montreal will be helpful for informing similar policies across the country.  I recently spoke with Philippe Dunsky, President of?Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors as part of SvN Architects & Planners LinkedIn Live Series ? SvN Speaks. Based in Montreal, Dunsky brings over 30 years of experience supporting governments, utility companies, businesses, and non-profits across North America to accelerate the transition to clean energy through policies, strategies and investment decisions.  
Dunsky’s firm played a key role in Montreal?s climate bylaws, first by mapping Montreal?...