BMO Recognized by Carbon Disclosure Project as a Global Carbon Performance Leader for Second Year in a Row

TORONTO and CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, BMO Financial Group has been named to the Global 500 Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) by the Carbon Disclosure Project, which represents 551 institutional investors with $71 trillion in assets.

BMO – the only Canadian-headquartered company named to the Index – has been recognized for the actions it is taking to reduce global emissions and mitigate the risks of climate change.

BMO is one of just 29 companies in the world to receive this honor – and one of just 9 financial institutions.

"BMO is proud to be named to the CPLI for the second year in a row," said Jim Johnston, Director, Environmental Sustainability, BMO Financial Group. "BMO's environmental goal is clear: to be a leader in sustainability by reducing energy consumption, cutting emissions and minimizing waste.  Every success makes the world – and our business – a little better."

"Companies in the Carbon Performance Leadership Index are demonstrating significant maturity in the actions they are taking on climate change and their commitment to manage greenhouse gas emissions," said Paul Simpson, CEO, Carbon Disclosure Project.  "Those organizations which reduce their emissions, maximize business resilience and capitalize on opportunities, will be the best placed to succeed as we move towards mitigating and adapting to climate change."

BMO and the Environment:

BMO accomplished carbon neutrality relative to its energy consumption and transportation emissions across the company by targeting emissions reductions, purchasing renewable energy and using carbon credits to offset the remainder.

In June 2011, BMO was named to the global Corporate Renewable Energy Index (CREX) as one of the top 20 companies in the world in terms of the percentage of renewable energy usage. The CREX is designed to provide transparency in corporate energy consumption, shedding light on the amount of renewable energy used by the world's largest corporations. 

BMO is one of the initial investors in the Greening Canada Fund (GCF), the first-ever voluntary carbon emissions reduction fund aimed exclusively at large Canadian corporations. The fund provides direct access to high-quality carbon offset credits and helps BMO support Canadian-based energy efficiency projects in Canadian public schools, hospitals and community housing. BMO's initial investment commitment in the fund is $10 million.

BMO offers customers in Canada its BMO Eco Smart Mortgage, a mortgage product designed to encourage and reward Canadian homeowners looking to reduce their energy usage, and save on home expenses. People whose homes meet BMO's energy efficiency criteria will qualify for a market-leading five-year fixed rate.

BMO is listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Series Index. BMO has also been included on the Maclean's/Jantzi-Sustainalytics list of the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada and Corporate Knights Magazine's Best 50 Corporate Citizens.

To review BMO's environmental performance data, visit www.bmo.com/environment.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group