J.P. Morgan’s research department today announced that it is making its analysis on the subject of climate change publicly available on its Web site.

The firm says that the move is an effort to heighten the awareness and understanding of climate change as it relates to financial markets. “This is about taking a leadership role on a very significant global issue,” said Nick O’Donohoe, global head of research. “The analysis we have produced, and will continue to produce, in this area can be helpful to, not only clients, but academics, researchers, and governments as we address the growing concern of climate change.”

In their environmental research, JPMorgan analysts and economists focus on economic, legislative and business developments in light of current and proposed carbon operating constraints. Also available on the website is information and aggregated values for the JPMorgan Environmental Index – Carbon Beta (JENI-Carbon Beta), the first high-grade corporate bond index designed to address the risks of global warming.

JPMorgan says its decision to make its environmental research publicly available underscores the firm’s commitment to the issue. In addition to reducing its own carbon emissions, the firm says it raised $1.5 billion of equity for the wind power market in 2006 and has its own portfolio of investments in renewable energy totaling $1 billion. The firm is also the lead sponsor for this week’s C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in New York to further engage business and political leaders on climate change.