BMO Financial Group joins the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials

Rhea-AI Summary

BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), aimed at disclosing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its loans and investments. Ranked as the most sustainable bank in North America, BMO is committed to mobilizing $400 billion in sustainable finance by 2025. As of 2020, the bank has achieved 71% of its $150 billion lending target. BMO's efforts align with the TCFD framework and support the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, reflecting its leadership in sustainability.

Positive

• BMO is recognized as the most sustainable bank in North America by multiple organizations.
• Achieved 71% of its $150 billion target for sustainable lending by 2020.
• Surpassed its goal to align $250 billion in client investments with sustainable objectives.

Negative

• None.

• Ranked most sustainable bank in North America by the Wall Street Journal, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Corporate Knights, BMO is committed to measuring and disclosing the GHG emissions of its portfolio

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today announced it has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).

PCAF is a global partnership of financial institutions that work together to develop and implement a harmonized approach to assess and disclose the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their loans and investments. In November 2020, PCAF published the Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Financial Industry. With more than 95 banks and investors from five continents, the industry-led initiative is rapidly expanding in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

"Joining the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials supports BMO's leadership position on climate-related risk and opportunity," said Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO. "By joining we are supporting the development of leading methodologies to track and report financed emissions which will inform our risk assessment and climate strategy going forward."

BMO continues to make significant progress on its Purpose commitments to double the good for a sustainable future, thriving economy and inclusive society. In 2019 BMO committed to mobilizing $400 billion in sustainable finance by 2025, including lending, underwriting and investing $150 billion in companies pursuing sustainable outcomes, and aligning $250 billion in client investments to sustainable objectives. By 2020 the bank had achieved 71 per cent of its $150 billion target and surpassed its $250 billion target.

BMO is a strong supporter of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and has been working to implement the TCFD's recommendations and develop programs, approaches and disclosures that align with the TCFD framework. By joining PCAF and committing to measure and disclose the GHG emissions associated with its portfolio of loans and investments using PCAF methodologies, BMO is advancing its approach to climate-related risk and opportunity and taking steps to align its portfolio with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

"PCAF is very pleased that BMO has joined over 95 financial institutions globally that are committed to measuring and disclosing the emissions of their portfolios to support meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement," said Chris Snyder, North America Lead of the PCAF Secretariat. "BMO continues to show environmental leadership towards a low carbon future through its collaboration with PCAF."

BMO Financial Group's actions on sustainability and towards a sustainable future include:

• In 2019, BMO unveiled its Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, announcing commitments to double the good for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society
• In 2020, BMO launched BMO EMpower, a $5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities, and families in the United States
• In 2019, BMO issued a $500 million USD Sustainability Bond with use of proceeds tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• In October 2020, BMO reached a key milestone in matching 100 per cent of electricity usage with renewable electricity
• In May 2020, BMO signed the Operating Principles for Impact Investment, a gold standard for impact investment fund management, developed by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank
• World-class sustainability disclosure, including on climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards
• First Canadian bank to sign the UN Women's Empowerment Principles in 2019. In 2018, BMO committed to make $3 billion in capital available to women business owners in Canada over three years

BMO's leadership on sustainability has been recognized on numerous rankings, including:

• Ranked 15^th on the Wall Street Journal's 2020 list of the 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies in the World, third overall on Social Capital, only bank in North America
• Top North American bank on Corporate Knights' 2021 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World for the second year in a row
• Ranked in the top 10% of banks globally on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
• Scored an A- on the 2020 CDP Climate Change Questionnaire
• Ethisphere® Institute's list of the 2020 World's Most Ethical Companies®
• Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (2021) for the sixth year in a row
• Forbes 2020 Best Employers for Diversity (United States)
• Corporate Knights 2020 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada

For more information on BMO's commitment to a sustainable future, please visit the bank's Sustainability Report.  For more information on BMO's Purpose, please visit our Purpose page.

About BMO Financial Group 
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $949 billion as of October 31, 2020, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

About the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)
In September 2019, the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) was launched globally. Currently, more than 95 banks and investors have subscribed to the PCAF initiative. PCAF participants work together to jointly develop the Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Financial Industry to measure and disclose the greenhouse emissions of their loans and investments. By doing so, PCAF participants take an important step to assess climate-related risks, set targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and develop effective strategies to decarbonize our society. For more information see https://carbonaccountingfinancials.com/

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group

FAQ

What did BMO Financial Group announce on January 29, 2021?

BMO announced it has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) to measure and disclose the GHG emissions of its portfolio.

What sustainability commitments has BMO made?

BMO committed to mobilizing $400 billion in sustainable finance by 2025, including $150 billion for sustainable lending.

How does BMO support the Paris Climate Agreement?

By joining PCAF, BMO aims to align its portfolios with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement through improved emissions measurement.

What recognition has BMO received for its sustainability efforts?

BMO has been ranked as the most sustainable bank in North America and achieved high scores on various sustainability indices.