The ZCB Standards: A strategic lever for sustainable industrial real estate

What are the ZCB standards?

Zero-Carbon Building (ZCB) certification, developed by the Canada Green Building Council, aims at transforming the way we design, construct and operate our buildings. Unlike a simple energy efficiency standard, the ZCB Standards focus on building-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, i.e., stemming from buildings’ design as well as their performance.

Besides those two components, the ZCB Standards rely on three fundamental pillars: carbon reduction throughout the life cycle of a building, optimization of energy performance via adherence to strict, measurable thresholds, and integration of innovation using technologies and design approaches adapted to each project.

The ZCB Standards are notable for their strict requirements and pragmatic approach, but remain accessible to organizations that are prepared to commit to a more sustainable future. They are a strategic tool, making it possible to target performance, return on investment and environmental responsibility all at once.

The ZCB Standards are more than a technical certification system. They embody a commitment to building differently.

First and foremost, the ZCB Standards are a guide that helps us guarantee that our buildings meet the highest performance standards in the industry. 

— Patrick Côté, Director of Sustainable Development, MONTONI

What is a zero-carbon building?

A zero-carbon building is a highly energy-efficient building in which GHG emissions are reduced to a minimum, both in the materials used for construction and during its operation. This is achieved through optimized design, inclusion of renewable energy sources and offsetting of residual emissions. The result is a building that is more sustainable, resilient and aligned with carbon-neutrality goals.

This vision is part of global approach that we have documented in our ESG Report, which outlines the tangible actions that MONTONI has put forward to speed the transition toward a carbon-neutral future.

The two pathways to ZCB project certification

ZCB certification has two complementary components: the Design Standard and the Performance Standard. Together, these two pathways enable builders to meet stringent requirements while committing to a structured approach to achieving carbon neutrality.

The Design Standard

The ZCB-Design Standard guides the design of buildings so as to minimize their carbon footprint right from the initial project stages. Among other things, it requires applicants to model a zero-carbon balance and submit a detailed description of expected carbon credits or green-power products once the building is in operation. This approach guides construction in the direction of sustainable solutions, ensuring energy efficiency and measurable reductions in carbon emissions.

A notable example is the Groupe Robert Distribution Centre, built by MONTONI between 2022 and 2023. This 300,000-square-foot building received MONTONI’s first ZCB-Design certification, awarded by the Canada Green Building Council. It is also certified LEED Gold, meaning that it has achieved the highest sustainability standards in the industry.

This project illustrates how the application of the ZCB-Design Standard can transform an industrial building into a highly energy-efficient property asset that is resilient and aligned with carbon neutrality goals.

The Performance Standard

The ZCB-Performance Standard, meanwhile, applies to already completed buildings and is based on measurement and management of actual GHG emissions. To obtain this certification, annual audits are conducted to ascertain the building’s energy consumption and ensure full offsetting of the emissions generated, either through purchase of carbon credits or retrofitting with renewable energy sources. This requirement ensures not only transparency, but also continuous improvement of environmental performance for the remainder of the building’s life cycle.

At MONTONI, seeking the ZCB-Performance Standard is part of an ambitious global commitment: to make each and every project a concrete vector for carbon neutrality. All buildings awarded the ZCB-Design certification will then progress toward ZCB-Performance certification, guaranteeing coherence of the design and operational phases.

That progress speaks to a clear commitment: to aim beyond the current standards and anticipate those of tomorrow and position industrial real estate development as an essential lever in combatting climate change.

Espace Montmorency is the first milestone on that journey, reflecting MONTONI’s commitment to remain a pioneer in the field and actively contribute to building our zero-carbon future.

Why does ZCB matter when it comes to industrial real estate?

As part of the response to the climate emergency, the industrial sector has a vital role to play in reducing GHG emissions. Warehouses, plants, eco-parks, or green industrial campuses, and other projects offer huge potential for progress, and the ZCB Standards provide a specific framework for transforming these spaces into drivers of sustainable performance.

As we at MONTONI emphasize:

1. Lower operating costs

ZCB certification, especially when obtained via the Design pathway, results in buildings planned and operated to use less energy, which directly lowers operating costs. Energy is supplied from renewable sources such as hydroelectricity, rooftop solar and renewable natural gas (RNG), which helps stabilize costs and improve the building’s environmental performance.

• For tenants, this means lower and predictable operating expenses, a key factor in their decision to lease. With its high-performance envelope and highly efficient electrical systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), a ZCB-certified warehouse can consume up to 30% less energy than a conventional one, while ensuring a comfortable, temperature-controlled environment whatever the season.

• For owners, ZCB certification is a guarantee of properties that are more energy-efficient, retain their value over the long term and provide a sustainable competitive advantage in the market.

2. Increased lease appeal

A ZCB-certified building is far more than just a high-performance industrial space: it becomes an environment where tenants enjoy superior comfort all year round, with stable, pleasant working conditions characterized by consistent temperatures, high indoor air quality and optimized natural lighting. That quality experience contributes to increased occupant satisfaction and loyalty.

Furthermore, a carbon-neutral building attracts socially engaged companies, whose mission and values align with sustainability principles. By leasing a ZCB-certified space, they not only reduce their own carbon footprint, but also demonstrate environmental leadership that their employees, customers and partners value highly.

3. Recognition and added value for the asset 

Choosing ZCB certification for an industrial building positions it as one of the most efficient in the industry. This distinction boosts the owner’s credibility in the eyes of tenants, financial partners and investors, who are especially attuned to ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria.

In the words of Patrick Côté, Director of Sustainable Development at MONTONI:

With public disclosure of buildings’ environmental performance ratings coming to Québec, ZCB-certified buildings will clearly have an edge. Yes, they may require a higher initial investment in construction, but they retain value over the long term and allow owners to charge higher rents while offering tenants real energy savings.

4. Reduced environmental impact 

ZCB certification, whether via the Design or Performance standard, imposes rigorous performance thresholds. That requirement guarantees that every project will achieve a tangible reduction of its carbon footprint and be subject to a sustainability process backed by metrics.

Buildings are set on a path to certification through a combination of strategic decisions and technical levers: use of low-carbon materials like low-embodied-carbon concrete or certified wood, a high-performance envelope to limit energy loss, and optimization of building form to enhance its overall efficiency. These are complemented by renewable energy production, e.g., installation of rooftop solar panels, incorporation of high-efficiency HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and mechanical systems, and careful management of indoor air, water and waste.

Lastly, annual monitoring of energy consumption and GHG emissions ensures transparency and continuous improvement of building performance. Together, these choices allow for the construction of industrial buildings that are more efficient, more resilient to energy fluctuations and resolutely forward-focused.

5. A strong return on investment 

ZCB certification is a long-term commitment, in both environmental and financial terms. Owners who choose to invest in buildings constructed to last acquire assets that are more resilient to changing regulations and climate challenges, while ensuring higher returns on those investments thanks to optimized operating costs and property values that retain their value over time.

As Patrick Côté, Director of Sustainable Development at MONTONI, explains:

There’s a widespread belief that aiming for carbon neutrality means adding costs. In fact, the opposite is true: it is an investment that generates value. Our Écoparcs are proof of this: they consume far less energy and clearly stand out on the market.

Practical advice from Patrick Côté for pursuing ZCB certification

1. Don’t wait to get in the game

According to Patrick Côté, the transition toward zero-carbon buildings is inevitable, and those who act now gain a long-lasting strategic advantage. Starting the journey toward a ZCB-certified project not only enables builders to swiftly position themselves in response to increasingly stringent environmental regulations; it also enhances their brand image among tenants, partners and investors.

Each completed project thus becomes a showcase for a company's expertise and commitment, giving it a head start in a market where environmental performance is destined to become an essential criterion.

2. Work with experts 

ZCB certification involves technical and regulatory requirements that demand a thorough, disciplined approach. Working with sustainable-development specialists or relying on a dedicated in-house team will simplify every stage of the process, from initial design to performance validation.

Expert support and guidance helps optimize technology choices, anticipate challenges, and ensure compliance with the most stringent standards. At MONTONI, that expertise resides with a specialized in-house team whose members are behind the vast majority of the LEED and ZCB certifications achieved by the company. This approach enables us to standardize and effectively monitor the process, while continuously improving knowledge of ESG principles and certifications among all our project managers and technologists. As a result, concepts are integrated right from the building design stage, transforming the zero-carbon ambition into tangible and sustainable outcomes.

3. It’s a matter of will, not technology 

ZCB certification is not some far-off concept or unattainable goal: the required technologies and solutions are already available and proven. They include, for example, optimizing the building envelope, incorporating highly energy-efficient mechanical systems, using smart LED lighting, generating renewable energy (e.g., solar) onsite, and proactively managing embodied carbon in construction materials. The challenge is more about the decision to adopt those technologies and solutions and commit to a structured path toward zero carbon.

As Patrick Côté, Director of Sustainable Development at MONTONI, notes: 

It’s normal for ZCB certification to create some apprehension at first, but the reality is that it's much more accessible than people think. The technologies required are already available and proven—so ZCB is not a utopian vision, but a matter of will.

4. ZCB and LEED certifications are compatible 

Combining ZCB with other environmental standards, such as LEED certification, results in a comprehensive and coherent approach to sustainability. Where ZCB specifically targets emissions reduction and offsetting, LEED proceeds according to a global vision encompassing energy efficiency, responsible resource management and the quality of indoor environments.

That complementarity offers developers a way to maximize the performance of their projects, enhance their reputation in the market and meet the increasingly high expectations of investors, tenants and regulatory bodies.

5. Annual review and progressive requirements 

Once ZCB certification is awarded, a continuous process begins. Every certified building undergoes annual validation, which guarantees transparent monitoring of its energy performance and emissions. These thresholds, reviewed and reinforced on a yearly basis, encourage building owners to keep pace with new realities and maintain an elevated standard of excellence.

Patrick Côté sees that constant progression as a seal of credibility:

Toward a carbon-neutral future: where the ZCB Standards are taking us 

ZCB certification is demanding, but accessible. It is an essential strategic lever for sustainably transforming industrial real estate, delivering tangible benefits in several areas: lower operating costs, value-added property assets and a reduced environmental footprint.

Here at MONTONI, this approach is aligned with a clear vision: that of becoming carbon neutral by 2040. Already, more than 2.3 million square feet of ZCB-Design-certified projects have been completed or started, proof of our pioneering role in the sustainable transformation of the industrial real estate sector. By combining the ZCB Standards with other renowned certification schemes, such as LEED, we are building high-performance, resilient industrial buildings today that are ready to meet the requirements of tomorrow.

Opting for ZCB certification means helping to shape the future of industrial real estate. It means investing in buildings that retain their value, fulfilling increasingly strict, sustainability requirements and playing an active role in the energy transition toward a carbon-neutral Québec.

Ready to begin your journey toward zero carbon? Find out how MONTONI can guide you toward achieving ZCB certification and explore our available ZCB-certified spaces.