Montreal Port Authority makes progress on pathway to carbon neutrality

In a bid to enhance energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint as part of broader strategy objectives, Canada’s Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has entered into a strategic partnership with SOFIAC, a local investment fund specializing in decarbonization.

As informed, SOFIAC will support the MPA—which operates the second largest port in Canada— in a comprehensive energy efficiency project that has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operational buildings by over 60%.

With an investment from SOFIAC that could reach several million dollars, the MPA will benefit from deep retrofit without needing to invest its own capital. SOFIAC’s model allows the investment to be repaid from the energy savings generated by the project. In line with its support approach, SOFIAC will oversee the entire implementation process with its technical partners, particularly Siemens, the energy services company selected for this significant mandate.

The project will target the MPA’s three main buildings: the Cité du Havre building, the MPA’s headquarters; the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal situated in the Old Port; and the building housing the infrastructure management, mechanical workshops, and rail operations located at 3400 Notre-Dame East.

“This project marks a crucial step in our sustainability efforts and brings us closer to our goal of carbon neutrality,” Benoit Viens, Senior Director of Environment and Real Estate at the MPA, commented.

“Thanks to SOFIAC’s expertise and support, we will transform our infrastructure to make it more energy-efficient while significantly reducing our carbon footprint.”

In August, MPA revealed that its Grand Quay was surpassing a carbon footprint milestone it set by opting for a new energy supply solution. By adding renewable natural gas (RNG) distributed by Énergir to its energy sources, the building is now supplied with 100% renewable energy, as part of the MPA’s shift from fossil natural gas to RNG.

Last year, the Port of Montreal earmarked C$335+ million in its five-year investment plan for the infrastructure on the island of Montreal. As the port has approached its full container handling capacity, it wants to invest heavily in its infrastructure on the island, which stretches 26 km between Cité-du-Havre and the east end of the island.

The recent initiative with SOFIAC is part of that plan and is in line with the port authority’s stated goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

Montreal is one of North America’s most environmentally responsible ports

Earlier this year, the Port of Montreal was recognized for its ‘exemplary’ sustainable development practices and environmental performance for the 17th consecutive year by Green Marine, the marine shipping industry’s voluntary environmental certification program.

Among the 59 participating port authorities, the MPA ranked in the top tier, with a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in several categories: Environmental Leadership, Waste Management, Dry Bulk Handling and Storage, Spill Prevention and Stormwater Management, and Community Relations. The MPA also ranked 4 out of 5 in the category of Air Emissions GHG & Air Pollutants.

Back in 2022, the Montreal Port Authority joined the United Nations Global Compact, a global initiative focused on developing, implementing and promoting good corporate sustainability practices. The membership, along with MPA’s growing international partnerships aimed at protecting the environment and biodiversity and reducing carbon footprint, is said to be in line with the port’s strategic vision and future activities.