BMO defends climate efforts as investors push for more disclosure

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🗞️ Driving the news: At its recent annual general meeting, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) faced mounting shareholder pressure over its climate strategy, including calls for more transparent disclosure on its lobbying activities and its financing mix between renewable and fossil fuel energy
• Despite these concerns, CEO Darryl White defended BMO’s approach, stating the bank remains committed to supporting clients through the energy transition

🔭 The context: BMO (see sustainability performance) has positioned itself as a key financier of Canada’s energy sector while pledging alignment with net zero goals
• However, investor scrutiny has intensified following the bank’s hosting of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) conference—a move seen by climate advocates as at odds with climate ambitions
• Shareholder groups such as Investors for Paris Compliance and SHARE have tabled resolutions demanding clearer data on policy advocacy and the ratio of sustainable to fossil fuel financing

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Banks play a pivotal role in shaping the pace and direction of the energy transition
• Without transparency on lobbying and capital allocation, commitments to net zero risk being undermined
• Increased investor pressure reflects broader demands for financial institutions to demonstrate alignment between public climate pledges and financing practices—especially in high-emissions sectors like oil and gas

⏭️ What's next: While shareholder resolutions did not pass, they gained significant support—20% for policy advocacy transparency and 32% for energy financing disclosure—signaling growing investor concern
• These figures, though non-binding, may prompt BMO to enhance its climate reporting in upcoming disclosures
• The bank is expected to face continued scrutiny as regulators and investors push for more robust and verifiable transition finance frameworks

💬 One quote: “Our role is to convene conversations representing a range of perspectives… including meeting with energy advocates on both sides.” – Darryl White, CEO, BMO

📈 One stat: The shareholder resolution demanding greater disclosure of BMO’s fossil vs. renewable energy financing secured 32% of shareholder votes, indicating substantial investor backing

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of BMO and its peers: Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank

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