BMO Financial Group has been named as one of the highest scoring companies in the world and the only Canadian bank in the Global 500 Global Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index for 2009.

The results were launched Monday in New York.

This is the second year in a row that BMO — a long-time signatory to the Carbon Disclosure Project — has been included on the list.

The Index, created by the Carbon Disclosure Project, is comprised of companies based worldwide that show distinction on their reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies. Index members are distinguished by their level of understanding of the risks and opportunities of climate change to their businesses.

Other companies on the 2009 list include Allianz, Consolidated Edison, EMC, Reckitt Benckiser, Siemens along with BASF, Boeing and Cisco Systems.

“All of us at BMO are proud that we have been recognized once again for doing our part in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions,” says Bill Downe, president and CEO, BMO Financial Group.

“Climate change has profound implications for our customers, shareholders, communities — and our business,” adds Jim Johnston, director, environmental sustainability, BMO Financial Group.

“We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2010 across our enterprise – worldwide. To help reach this goal, we intend to reduce net emissions related to energy consumption and transportation to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from 2007 levels,” Johnston adds.

IE