BMO investing in a sustainable future with $1M donation to the Institute for Sustainable Finance

BMO believes the advancement of sustainable finance is critical to our Purpose-driven commitment to support a sustainable future, and so as a leader in the field, BMO will donate $1 million to the Institute for Sustainable Finance based at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Canada. The funding will be complemented by similar gifts from several other financial institutions in Canada, reflecting the banking industry’s recognition of the Institute’s important mission to align mainstream financial markets with Canada’s transition to a lower carbon economy.

The Institute is a first of its kind: a collaborative hub that fosters interconnectivity between the academic, private and public sectors with a singular focus on increasing Canada’s sustainable finance capacity. BMO’s funding will support the Institute’s efforts in education, professional training, research and collaboration, and advance Canada’s leadership in sustainable finance.  By contributing to the development of a national network of researchers designing strategies for the transition to a low carbon economy, while creating awareness of and catalyzing the development of thought leadership, the Institute will support the advancement of market-based solutions for existing companies and for the companies that will be created in the future through that transition.

“At BMO, sustainability is a major pillar of our Purpose as an organization. We believe in partnering with clients and communities to invest in local economies in order to achieve social and inclusive growth, while also recognizing the need to continue to transition to a low carbon economy,” said Dan Barclay, CEO & Group Head of BMO Capital Markets. “As a global leader in sustainability, we know that sustainable finance has never been more important, which is why we’ve committed to supporting the Institute for Sustainable Finance at Queen’s.”

BMO’s focus on driving thought leadership will also be front and centre later this month as we sponsor Bloomberg Sustainable Finance Week. BMO is proud to be the exclusive Canadian sponsor for a second year.  As an organization, our commitment to a sustainable future includes a Bold Commitment to mobilize $400 billion in sustainable finance by 2025. Our goal includes lending, underwriting and investing $150 billion in companies pursuing sustainable outcomes, and aligning $250 billion in client investments to sustainable objectives. Learn more.