Sustainability Leaders

Unlocking Blended Finance for Regenerative Agriculture: American Farmland Trust’s CEO in Conversation

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Host Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, speaks with John Piotti, CEO of the American Farmland Trust, about why farmland should be viewed as essential climate infrastructure and what it takes to invest in it accordingly. They discuss how well-managed farms can deliver measurable climate and environmental benefits, and why connecting public and private capital to regenerative practices matters for resilience across food systems. The conversation covers practical financing pathways—including agricultural conservation easements as a tool to protect land and unlock capital—plus the realities of scaling regenerative practices like cover crops, reduced tillage, and crop rotations.

Redwoods Rising: Restoring Forests, Rebuilding Communities

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0000

This episode explores how large-scale ecological restoration can drive resilience and economic opportunity, using California’s Redwoods Rising project as a case study. Learn how environmental conservation can simultaneously heal landscapes and create jobs in rural communities.

Hosted by Emily Hobbs of the BMO Climate Institute, the conversation features Shelana deSilva (California State Parks), Sally Bolger (Ecological Workforce Initiative), and Alma Cortes Selva (BMO Climate Institute). They focus on the Redwoods Rising initiative, including its forest and watershed restoration work, cross-sector partnerships, and new research showing how investment in nature-based solutions can strengthen local economies, support workforce development, and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.

The full research report referenced in this episode and additional resources are available at parkscalifornia.org, a partner in this work connecting communities and cultivating new career pathways across California's public lands: https://parkscalifornia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Technical-Report_Design_FINAL.pdf

Visit Redwoods Rising to learn more about the initiative discussed in this podcast:

https://www.savetheredwoods.org/project/redwoods-rising/

Visit BMO for more thought leadership from Emily Hobbs:

https://capitalmarkets.bmo.com/en/our-bankers/emily-hobbs/

Banking on Buildings: Green and Climate-Aligned Real Estate Performance

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:47:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortés Selva of the BMO Climate Institute is joined by Michaela Neuberger, Executive Director of Affine Climate Solutions, and James Burrow, Director of Sustainable Finance at BMO, to explore the findings of the Banking on Buildings research. Drawing on more than 20 years of global data, the conversation examines the growing evidence that green and climate‑aligned buildings outperform conventional assets on financial returns, resilience, and credit risk.

The discussion unpacks the difference between “green” and “climate‑aligned” buildings, why energy efficiency, lower emissions, and climate resilience matter across the building lifecycle, and how simple, practical upgrades can deliver measurable benefits. The episode also looks at real‑world examples, such as green financing programs, and outlines what partnerships, policy alignment, and simple, scalable steps are needed to accelerate climate‑aligned real estate.

Click here to learn more about the study mentioned in this podcast.

In this previous episode of Sustainability Leaders, the BMO Climate Institute participates on a panel discussion about understanding physical climate risk resilience in real estate.

Visit BMO for more thought leadership from Alma Cortés Selva, Senior Advisor, BMO Climate Institute.

Regenerative Agriculture: The Intersection of Soil Science and Ethics

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Leah Weatherill, Head of National Agriculture with BMO Commercial Bank in Canada, is joined by Kate Congreves, Jarislowsky and BMO Research Chair in Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. Their conversation explores regenerative agriculture as both a scientific approach and an ethical framework for farming, touching on soil health as the foundation of agriculture, the vital role of nitrogen in food production, and the challenge of balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. Congreves explains how regenerative agriculture goes beyond a checklist of practices to reflect deeper values about reciprocity between people and the land.

Visit https://commercial.bmo.com/en/ca/industry-expertise/agriculture/ to learn more about how the company supports the agriculture sector through all cycles.

Learn more about BMO’s recent Green Bond, the proceeds of which will be used to support sustainable food and agriculture, as well as renewable energy and green building projects: https://newsroom.bmo.com/2026-03-16-BMO-Issues-Green-Bond-to-Finance-Renewable-Energy,-Green-Buildings-and-Sustainable-Agriculture-Projects

BMO also supported critical research into regenerative and digital agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan: https://commercial.bmo.com/en/ca/insights/bmo-donates-2-million-university-saskatchewan-accelerate-research-critical-future-food/

Human Rights and Sustainability Developments for Business: Litigation Trends, Risks, and Opportunities

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:01:00 -0000

Michael Torrance, BMO’s Chief Sustainability Officer, sits down with Stuart Neely, Partner with Norton Rose Fulbright in London, to discuss how regulations are driving developments with sustainability in human rights, the role of multinational standard setting, and important litigation trends to monitor globally.

In a previous episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance discusses how risk management is an important driver of why companies form their own human rights policies: https://capitalmarkets.bmo.com/en/insights/the-business-case-for-human-rights-policies/

Visit https://capitalmarkets.bmo.com/en/our-bankers/michael-torrance/ for more thought leadership from Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO.

Beyond the Bin: Making Reuse the Default in Food Packaging

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:01:00 -0000

Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Kayli Smith, CEO and Co‑Founder of Friendlier, a reusable packaging company, to explore why single‑use packaging is such a stubborn climate and waste problem—and why most of its impact happens long before disposal. Smith explains Friendlier’s “packaging‑as‑a‑service” model: durable, trackable containers, a deposit-and-return flow, and the infrastructure that can make reuse work at scale for campuses, workplaces, and other high‑volume food settings. They also discuss what drives adoption (from consumer expectations to policy tailwinds), and how the company is planning to scale its business across North America.

Economic Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this inaugural episode of a special series on the Sustainability Leaders podcast focused on Reconciliation, host Kayla Jacobs, Director with BMO’s Office of Reconciliation, is joined by Nadir André, Partner at JFK Law and Co‑Chair of BMO’s Indigenous Advisory Council. Together, they explore Nadir’s personal and professional journey as an Indigenous legal expert, including his background in Indigenous law and his long‑standing work with communities across Canada.

The conversation focuses on the role corporate Canada can play in advancing economic reconciliation, the evolution of Indigenous rights, and the importance of respectful, long‑term relationships between industry, government, and Indigenous Peoples. Nadir discusses renewable energy and natural resource projects as pathways for shared prosperity and reflects on the need to balance economic growth with the protection of land, culture, and future generations.

Metal Matters on Sustainability Leaders: The World Needs More Mining and Demands Better Mining

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode from BMO's Metal Matters podcast, BMO Commodities Analyst Helen Amos is joined by Ro Dhawan, President and CEO of the ICMM to discuss how the role of sustainable mining is shifting in a world where mining and critical minerals has been thrust into the foreground of global geopolitics. They discuss the new Consolidated Mining Standard which marks a major turning point in harmonizing standards across the industry, as well as progress made in tailings management, gender-based violence, and the urgency around improving safety performance. Ro suggests that the increase in government participation and M&A in mining could bring opportunities for sustainability too.

Moody’s Explains How Businesses Can Use Risk Analytics to Prepare for Climate Extremes

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortes‑Selva of the BMO Climate Institute speaks with Viola Lutz, Head of the Moody’s Climate Center of Excellence, about how climate risk analytics are reshaping the way businesses prepare for increasingly severe natural disasters. The conversation explores what physical risk analytics are, why they matter, and how they translate hazard data into actionable insights for organizations.

The discussion also examines the growing role of AI in climate and risk analytics—from post‑disaster event response to proactive portfolio monitoring—highlighting how technology, combined with strong governance, can help organizations move from reactive risk management to forward‑looking resilience planning.

Below the Surface: Brightcore Energy's Mike Richter on Geothermal Energy's Advantages

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, host Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, sits down with Mike Richter, President of Brightcore Energy, to explore Richter’s unconventional journey from NHL Stanley Cup–winning goaltender to clean energy executive. Their conversation explores how Brightcore is helping commercial, municipal, and institutional clients reduce carbon emissions while cutting operating costs. Together, they discuss the fundamentals of geothermal ground-source heat pumps, the challenges and opportunities of deploying the technology in dense urban and existing buildings, the role of policy incentives and utilities, and why energy efficiency and electrification are critical to meeting rising energy demand and advancing the clean energy transition.

Understanding Physical Climate Risk Resilience in Real Estate

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, the authors and reviewers of new research on climate risk and real estate discuss how to use quantified climate-risk insights to prioritize assets for investment, build the business case for adaptation, and treat resiliency not just as an aspiration, but as an investable strategy. Angela Adduci, Senior Advisor from the BMO Climate Institute, joins a panel moderated by Mike Williams (President and Co-Founder of ClimateFirst Building Solutions), including Kathleen Beaumont (Investment Management Corporation of Ontario), Natalia Moudrak (Aon), Holly Neber (AEI Consultants), and Olivia Pink (ClimateFirst).

Learn more about the case study discussed in this podcast: Investing in Resilience: Making Physical Climate Risk a Financial Priority for Real Estate • ClimateFirst Building Solutions Inc.

Clean Energy Outlook 2026: Data Centers, Permitting, and Procurement

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:01:00 -0000

Aging power grids in the U.S. and rising clean energy demand are both influencing the outlook for buyers in 2026. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, host Angela Adduci from the BMO Climate Institute sits down with Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), to explore the evolving dynamics of corporate clean energy procurement. They discuss:

How the US can meet rising energy demand,
the critical role of permitting reform and electricity grid enhancement,
and how innovative approaches—from data center flexibility to technologies such as geothermal and nuclear—are shaping the future of energy markets.

Using AI to Reduce Flood Risk: IBM and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In collaboration with IBM through the IBM Impact Accelerator, the University of Illinois developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered flood forecasting system that improves rainfall prediction and flood forecasting in the Appalachian Mountains in the U.S., with the potential for the program to be applied and adapted in other parts of the world. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, BMO's Chief Sustainability Officer, sat down with two people who had a significant role in creating the solution: Ana Barros, Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Michael Jacobs, Head of Social Innovation, IBM. They discussed their collaboration, what went into building the forecasting system, and the future of environmental adaptation and disaster mitigation.

How CarbonCure and Ozinga Are Rethinking Concrete

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Caroline Donlin, Managing Director and Head of Engineering and Construction at BMO, speaks with Kristal Kaye, Interim CEO of CarbonCure, and Marty Ozinga, CEO of Ozinga, about their partnership to advance sustainable concrete. Their conversation explores the economic, technical, and cultural shifts needed to decarbonize one of the world’s most essential building materials.

Investing in Energy Security and Sustainability

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:01:00 -0000

Climate goals, rising energy demands, and geopolitical pressures are transforming global energy investment strategies. Based on a panel discussion from the 2025 Toronto Global Forum, this episode of Sustainability Leaders examines the impact of industrial demand shifts—such as AI and data centers—on energy investments, effective policy frameworks for de-risking clean energy projects, and approaches to pricing climate-related risks while fostering innovation and private capital. Jason Peel, Managing Director and Head, BMO Radicle moderates a conversation with:

Mpho Kubelo, Chief Risk Officer, Development Bank of Southern Africa
Jean-Jacques Barbéris, Deputy CEO (Amundi AM) – Head of Institutional and Corporate Clients Division, ESG Supervisor
Eric Arnould, General Partner and IR Officer, Jolt Capital
Laurent Germain, CEO, Egis Group.

AI as a Corporate Sustainability Catalyst: Insights from BMO’s Chief AI and Data Officer

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:01:00 -0000

In an episode of the Sustainability Leaders podcast, Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Kristin Milchanowski, BMO’s Chief AI and Data Officer, to explore how AI can become a cornerstone of corporate sustainability strategies. Their conversation covered practical applications, ethical considerations, and the steps required to integrate AI into corporate sustainability frameworks.

The Rise of Renewable Energy in Texas

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:01:00 -0000

Texas has grown to become a renewable energy powerhouse. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, is joined by Raina Hornaday, General Manager and Co-Founder of Caprock Renewables in Austin, Texas. A fifth-generation rancher, Raina has also been a pioneer enabling Texas to become one of the top states in U.S. for wind and solar energy production. They discuss the development of the renewable energy industry in Texas and what’s needed for the Lone Star state to continue leading in this space.

In Conversation with Electrovaya’s CEO: How Lithium-Ion Batteries Help Drive Industrial Decarbonization

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Stephen Uwazota, Director of Sustainable Finance and Clean Energy, BMO sits down with Raj DasGupta, Chief Executive Officer at Electrovaya, a global supplier of lithium-ion batteries. Their wide-ranging conversation covered the advantage of lithium battery chemistries, enhanced battery safety, and opportunities in the industrial, AI and security sectors.

Innovation in the U.S. Nuclear Power Industry

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:01:00 -0000

As demand for clean sources of power has risen, so has interest in nuclear energy. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, explores the factors driving a resurgence in the nuclear industry and what innovations are on the horizon. Joining Jayen to share his insights is Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower, a company founded by business leader and philanthropist Bill Gates. TerraPower’s mission is to solve the world’s toughest problems in energy, climate, and human health through innovative nuclear technology.

Sustainable and Climate Finance in the EU and Beyond - A Perspective from Helena Viñes Fiestas, Chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, hosts Helena Viñes Fiestas, who is Chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, and Commissioner of the Spanish Financial Markets Authority. Helena provides her perspective on sustainable and climate finance, sustainability reporting, and governance, in the EU and around the world.

Making Homes Wildfire-Resistant

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Note: This episode deals with wildfires and the damage they inflict on the built environment, topics that some may find challenging.

Between 1980 and 2023 the U.S. had 22 wildfires that individually caused more than $1 billion in damage, with 18 of those occurring since 2000, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Wildfire seasons are lasting longer and fires are causing more damage. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortes Selva, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Dr. Kimiko Barrett, Wildfires Researcher and Policy Analyst with Headwaters Economics.

After Climate Week, Pragmatism Seen Producing New Business Opportunities

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:33:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, and John Uhren, Managing Director of Sustainable Finance at BMO Capital Markets, reflect on what they saw and heard at Climate Week New York and the trends that will drive sustainable business and investment in the future.

“A phrase I heard a lot throughout New York Climate Week was around climate pragmatism, being eyes wide open around what needs to happen for sustainability to be properly characterized and prioritized by different businesses,” said Uhren. “When you focus on the pragmatic parts, the efficiency gains of looking at things like EV drivetrains over combustion engines, for example, or heat pumps over boilers, these all make commercial sense for a business.”

The Business Case for Human Rights Policies

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Risk management is an important driver of why companies form their own human rights policies. But collaborative approaches to human rights aligned with the key voluntary standards can also be opportunities for companies. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, discusses business, human rights and sustainability law with Yousuf Aftab, partner with the law firm Steptoe. Their conversation spanned Yousuf’s work on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as how he advises companies on developing human rights policies.

Sustainable Travel – Are We There Yet? A Conversation with Booking Holdings

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:01:00 -0000

The mission of the company Booking Holdings—which includes the brands Booking.com, Priceline, and OpenTable—is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Kate Heiny, Vice President of Sustainability at Booking Holdings, explains that in order to do that, we need a world worth experiencing. Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Kate for a wide ranging conversation on the intersection of travel and sustainability and opportunities in the travel sector.

“There's this beautiful alignment for us in terms of making sure that we continue to make travel available for billions of people, and journeys in the future, and that the world is a place that everyone wants to experience,” Kate said.

New Frontiers of Fusion and Fission Energy Investment

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO, is joined by Matt Morris, associate with Hitachi Ventures, the global venture capital arm of Hitachi Group. They discuss what it takes to commercialize new forms of clean energy and the investment theses of Hitachi Ventures, including the potential of fusion and fission.

"As we think about the clean energy transition … focusing on the supply chains that can enable the development of new energy assets are likely going to be the drivers for making all of these new assets economical," said Morris. "So, we're just at the beginning of seeing what our new generating assets in the clean energy revolution are about to achieve."

Investable Opportunities from the Energy Transition

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:01:00 -0000

The energy transition bears risks but also brings opportunities for investors. That insight drove the conversation led by Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, with Pooja Khosla, CEO of Entelligent, a developer of analytical tools to help the financial industry understand the future impact of climate change and energy transition. Also joining to discuss BMO’s collaboration with Entelligent was Fabrice Tenga, Managing Director and Head of Equity Derivatives Financial Engineering, BMO Capital Markets.

“Every company is either a producer of energy or a user of energy. So, energy transition, yes, it impacts power companies, utility companies, but it also impacts technology companies that have a strong demand or use that energy component. It also impacts strongly the finance sector, because the funding of these companies is coming from the finance sector. So, we live in a very interconnected ecosystem of energy,” said Khosla.

Property Resilience to Climate Risk: In Search of Standards

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:01:00 -0000

“Standards help people understand what they're buying and if there are any significant impairments to value. And now we're living in a world where the physical impacts of climate change to commercial real estate is growing, insurance costs are going through the roof, and investors are demanding to know more about the risks in any given portfolio,” said Holly Neber, Chief Resilience Officer with AEI Consultants. Indeed, the commercial real estate industry faces growing risks from extreme weather and natural hazards. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortés Selva, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, discusses with Holly Neber why property resilience standards are important and how they can help mitigate climate impact on real estate.

Why Novilla RNG is Bullish on the Renewable Natural Gas Market

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, focuses on renewable natural gas (RNG), the state of the U.S. market, and the case for rising RNG demand in the future. His guest is Mark Hill, Co-CEO of Novilla RNG, a developer and operator of dairy RNG projects.

Improving Grid Resilience with Long-Duration Energy Storage

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:01:00 -0000

The power grid in North America, which is already complex, is seeing demand rise for low-cost and emissions-free electricity. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Stephen Uwazota, Director of Sustainable Finance and Clean Energy at BMO, discusses ways in which long-term energy storage solutions can help improve grid resilience. His guest on the show, Curtis VanWalleghem, CEO of Hydrostor, has an innovative and cost-effective approach to the solution--advanced compressed air energy storage. All it takes is air, rocks, and water.

Investing Opportunities in Climate Tech

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Nelson Switzer, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Climate Innovation Capital, a venture fund, believes that it is an exceptionally good time to invest in climate tech solutions. He recently wrote a book that outlines his investment approach entitled The Gigahorn Hunter: Seven Principles for a Climate Investor. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, discusses Nelson Switzer’s investing approach, investment trends, and opportunities that he has identified in the climate tech space.

A Discussion with Michael Jantzi on the Roll Out of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Disclosure Standards

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO, sits down with Michael Jantzi, a Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), to discuss the evolution of sustainability disclosures and standards and what both preparers and investors can expect for the future.

How the Carbon Dioxide Removal Market is Evolving and Transforming Industries

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In April, Microsoft signed one of the largest carbon removal deals to date with CO280, a leading developer of large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Angela Adduci, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, moderates a discussion with two of the cofounders of CO280, Jonathan Rhone, who is CEO, and Natalie Khtikian, who is Chief Commercial Officer. They are also joined by Tansy Stobart, VP of Carbon Trading at BMO. Their conversation covered CO280's approach to the CDR market and how they are applying lessons from early successes with a sharp focus on execution to scaling the market further.

Energy-Efficient Data Centers: A Conversation with Amazon Web Services

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:01:00 -0000

For Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon’s cloud computing business, everything is on the table as far as adoption of clean energy sources and use of energy storage solutions to meet its ambitious goal of becoming net-zero carbon by 2040. Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, hosts this episode of Sustainability Leaders with his guest Chris Walker, Director of Sustainability, AWS. They discuss AWS’ efforts at energy efficiency, nuclear power procurement, and the company’s goal to be water positive by 2030.

Lessons from Schneider Electric on Its Net-Zero Journey

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO sits down with Vanessa Miler-Fels, Vice President of Climate and Environment at Schneider Electric. They discuss Schneider Electric's plans to achieve net-zero by 2050, the company's commitment to sustainability and lessons other companies can adopt from its early successes.

Taking on the Task of Rebuilding LA

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

This episode of Sustainability Leaders is from BMO’s Markets Plus podcast and hosted by Caroline Donlin, Managing Director and Head of Engineering and Construction at BMO. The show featured Veronica Luttrell, Operations Planner at ECC, a leading construction company, and it delves into the rebuilding efforts in Southern California following the devastating wildfires in January.

The Path to Commercializing Fusion Energy

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Could nuclear fusion be a solution to some of the world's most pressing energy challenges? In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor at the BMO Climate Institute, discusses this question and more with Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion. The British Columbia-based company is developing a fast and practical approach to commercial fusion energy.

“Fusion isn't a dream anymore. It's becoming mainstream because progress is being made and the timelines are becoming real for all of us,” Twinney said.

Supporting Home Insurability and Investing in Building Resilience

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Among the challenges that the global insurance industry faces are increasing exposure and vulnerability of the built environment in areas prone to extreme weather. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Angela Adduci, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Maryam Golnaraghi, Director of Climate Change and the Environment at the Geneva Association, on how decisions by homeowners and a wide range of public – and private-sector stakeholders impact risks of properties, along with a roadmap involving incentives and concrete actions to boost local resilience to tackle challenges with insurance availability and affordability.

The Present and Future of Sustainable Finance

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, John Uhren, Managing Director, Sustainable Finance, BMO Capital Markets, moderates a conversation with a group of institutional investors in Canada about the current state and future of sustainable finance. Joining as guests to discuss the challenges they encounter, sense of optimism for the investment category, and important work ahead are:

Elizabeth Wallace, Senior Manager Funding, Ontario Financing Authority;
Barbara Zvan, President & CEO, University Pension Plan;
Simon Senecal, Portfolio Manager, Responsible Investment, Partner, AlphaFixe Capital.

Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

How can companies leverage sustainable strategies as a potential source of competitive advantage? In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, James Burrow, Director, Sustainable Finance at BMO is joined by a panel of experts to explore how incorporating social and environmental considerations could help drive efficiencies and unlock growth opportunities. The panel includes Aysu Katun, VP of Sustainability, Greif; Tim Faveri, VP of Global Sustainability, Nutrien Inc; and Torsten Lichtenau, Partner and Global Head of Carbon Transition Practice, Bain & Company.

Exploring U.S. organic food opportunities

Thu, 29 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

The U.S. is a net importer of organic food, and demand for certified organic products represents an opportunity for domestic agricultural businesses. That was one of the main points to come from the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, hosted by Emily Hobbs, Senior Advisor, BMO Climate Institute, and featuring Jessy Beckett Parr, Chief Program Officer, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).

"There is a strong and growing demand for certified organic products here in the United States. It's being driven by Millennials and Gen Z, but it's across all categories of age, demographic, geography," said Parr. "We have the power and the potential in American producers here domestically to meet the demand for organic.”

Innovations in Long-Duration Energy Storage

Tue, 20 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Renewable energy generation continues to grow and increase the need to store energy efficiently and economically for longer durations of time. In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jayen Veerapen, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, explores how zinc-based batteries and storage assets could be an interesting alternative to lithium-ion battery chemistries. His guest is James Larsen, CEO of e-Zinc, an energy storage technology developer with projects in Canada and the US.

“At the stage we're at right now, the modest amount of renewable energy we actually have on the grid, it only really necessitates energy storage assets that have the ability to discharge energy for a few hours. But if you extrapolate out the curve and really think about what does 2030 look like, what does 2040 look like, and beyond, and think about the volume of renewable energy that's coming on line, it's going to create more and more significant imbalances between that supply and demand,” Larsen said.

Cheaper, Faster, Better: Financing a Smart Energy Transition and a Low Carbon Economy

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In his New York Times-Bestselling book Cheaper, Faster, Better, Tom Steyer reframes climate change not as a crisis to fear, but as a once-in-a-century opportunity to build something better. In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, and Grégoire Baillargeon, Vice-Chair BMO Climate Institute, sit down with Tom Steyer, Co-Executive Chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, to discuss his thoughts on investment opportunities and climate change.

Mining on the Moon for Sustainable Energy

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Helium-3 is an important isotope for technological and energy innovation driving the net-zero transition. It's very rare on Earth but found commonly on the Moon. In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer at BMO, catches up with Glen Martin, Chief Executive Officer of The Extraterrestrial Mining Company (XMC), to discuss mining Helium-3 on the Moon and how space exploration will be part of the energy transition on Earth.

Strengthening Resilience in Los Angeles with Cleantech

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Emily Hobbs, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Matt Petersen, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. They discuss the role of startups and innovation in LA as communities rebuild after devastating wildfires. They also explored the importance of public-private partnerships as the second-most populous U.S. city prepares to host events such as the World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “Los Angeles has an important role to play to reduce the impacts of the climate crisis and air pollution upon people's lives and health, while creating economic opportunity to help entrepreneurs and participants in the workforce to be part of the solution,” Petersen said.

Breakthrough Energy: From Innovations to Investment

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Identifying the most promising innovations in clean energy and turning them into commercially viable solutions are not easy to do. In the newest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer with BMO, sits down with Tyson White, Director of Partnerships at world leading venture and catalyst investor Breakthrough Energy. Founded by philanthropist and investor Bill Gates, Breakthrough Energy is a group of organizations that invests in clean energy innovations and climate solutions. The discussion covers promising innovations in the clean energy space, approaches to investment and how to lower the barriers to capital to foster more innovation.

The Role of Innovation in the Energy Transition

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:01:00 -0000

It might seem obvious to say that the energy transition will require a lot of innovation to happen. But it's anything but obvious how a combination of technology, new thinking, and hard work will address our present-day energy challenges. In the newest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO hosts Denver Yu, an analyst with Los Angeles-based Generational Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm, to discuss his firm's investment theses. Joining Denver are three portfolio companies and their respective leaders: Mariah Francis Carter, CEO of Lumora Technologies; Josh Riedy, Founder and CEO of Thread; and Kevin Kong, Founder and CEO, Everstar.

The Business Importance of Water Scarcity and Stewardship

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, discusses escalating water-related risks for businesses and the importance of public-private partnerships for water stewardship. She is joined by Jason Morrison, President of the Pacific Institute and Head of the CEO Water Mandate, an initiative of the UN Global Compact.

Stopping and Preventing Wildfires with Technology

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:01:00 -0000

Addressing the increasingly complex problem of wildfires that threaten people, communities and economic assets, requires new ways of thinking and new technologies. That is the premise of Convective Capital, California-based venture capital firm that invests in companies trying to solve the global wildfire crisis. Jay Ribakove, Principal at Convective, joins Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer for BMO, on the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders to discuss some of the most promising fire mitigation and suppression innovations.

Agrivoltaics: A Water Conservation Solution?

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:01:00 -0000

Agrivoltaics is an innovation in which land is simultaneously used for farming and solar energy production. The aim is to increase land use efficiency, produce income, and generate environmental and social value. In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sits down with Kathryn Beroš, Founder and Managing Director of KAP Industry, a global agrivoltaics solution provider, to learn how the technology could help address the challenge of water scarcity.

Metals & Mining: Shedding Light on a Sustainable Future

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:09:53 -0000

How is the metals and mining industry driving sustainable development? Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO and President of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and Camilla Sutton, BMO’s Head of Equity Research for Canada and the UK, explore the industry’s progress, key achievements, and what’s next. During this 30-minute episode, they discuss the ICMM and its members’ progress on Consolidated Mining Standards, TNFD, decarbonization, the ‘trust deficit,’ and how the industry is contributing to sustainable development.

Critical Minerals Investment Outlook

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 22:54:07 -0000

Critical minerals are essential inputs in modern energy and high-tech applications, including batteries, energy storage and infrastructure, and national security. They also play an important role in the global energy transition, where demand is expected to necessitate significant investment in order to develop new mines, downstream processing capacity, and secure and resilient supply chains. In this BMO podcast, Greg Jones, Battery Materials Analyst with BMO Capital Markets, sits down with Kwasi Ampofo, BloombergNEF's Head of Metals and Mining, to discuss the complexities of the critical minerals industry and the investment outlook.

Opportunities in California's Energy Transition

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jonathan Hackett, Former Managing Director and Head, Sustainable Finance, BMO Capital Markets, sits down with Francisco Leon, President and CEO, California Resources Corporation (CRC), the state's largest oil and gas production company. CRC is focused not only on meeting the present energy needs of the world's fifth-largest economy, but also preparing for a lower carbon future.

Opportunities to Accelerate Building Decarbonization, Part 2

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:04:01 -0000

In this two-part episode of Sustainability Leaders, George Sutherland, Senior Advisor of Climate Change & Sustainability, hosts a conversation about the state of building retrofits, parallels between retrofits and future climate objectives, and potential opportunities. Our guests on the show include Bryan Flannigan, Executive Director, Building Decarbonization Alliance; Max Graham, Chief Operating Officer, Avenue Living; and James Burrow, Director, Sustainable Finance, BMO.

Opportunities to Accelerate Building Decarbonization, Part 1

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:03:46 -0000

Sustainable Procurement

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 08:01:00 -0000

In the latest episode of Sustainability Leaders, Angela Adduci, Senior Advisor, BMO Climate Institute, hosts a conversation with two complementary perspectives on sustainable procurement. Nathan Cummins, Global Lead for Renewable Energy Markets at The Nature Conservancy, shares insights from a toolkit to help corporate buyers with clean energy procurement. Sherrie O'Doyle, Director, Sustainable Procurement & Value Growth, BMO Financial Group, offers her experience working with supply-chain partners.

The Path to Low-Carbon Buildings

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, host Caroline Donlin leads a panel of experts in exploring the future of sustainable construction. The discussion covers a range of topics, including the adoption of low-carbon building practices, the impact of tax credits on sustainable development, and the challenges facing the industry. Panelists James Burrow, Julia Gisewite, Barry Howard, and Nicholas Ryan offer their perspectives on emerging technologies, the importance of embodied carbon reduction, and the roadblocks to building green. From heat pumps to innovative materials, the conversation delves into the exciting possibilities and hurdles in creating a more sustainable built environment, providing listeners with a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of sustainable construction.

Validating Breakthrough Energy Concepts, a Discussion with George Hathaway

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:01:00 -0000

A sustainable energy transition and growing demands for energy will require creative and novel ideas in energy science to become reality. How should we evaluate novel claims? What are some of the most promising areas of research in breakthrough energy? George Hathaway is an experimental scientist and engineer whose career has focused on how to experimentally validate novel and breakthrough energy concepts. In our discussion, George shares his thoughts on some of the most innovative areas of research on breakthrough energy currently underway and how he examines and validates such claims for inventors and investors.

From Farm to Future: How Funding Solutions are Shaping Agricultural Emissions

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortés-Selva, Senior Advisor at the BMO Climate Institute, is joined by Nicole Rojas, CEO of Lasso Solutions, to explore the transformative funding solutions that are helping the beef and dairy sectors cut down on carbon emissions and embrace more sustainable practices.

The Future of Infrastructure

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:01:00 -0000

Infrastructure is a vital driver of environmental sustainability and social resilience. Recorded at the Toronto Global Forum in 2024, this discussion on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable infrastructure was moderated by Karen Mazurkewich, Vice-President, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), and included Grégoire Baillargeon, President of BMO, Quebec, and Vice Chair, BMO Climate Institute, Marie-Claude Dumas, President and CEO, WSP Canada, and Macky Tall, Chair of Infrastructure Group, The Carlyle Group.

Unlocking the Carbon Management Value Chain

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders recorded on location at Climate Week NYC, Jonathan Hackett, Managing Director and Head, Sustainable Finance at BMO, sat down with Justine Fisher, CFO at Svante, to discuss the state of carbon solutions, regulations, and carbon credit markets.

Building for Tomorrow: Real Estate, Construction, and Sustainability

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 07:01:00 -0000

This episode explores why real estate owners and developers are increasingly committing to sustainable practices, and how builders are supporting these initiatives.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO’s Alma Cortes-Selva leads a roundtable discussion on supply chain management and sustainability.

The Economics of Carbon Removal: A Conversation with Deep Sky

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:37:08 -0000

Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Fred Lalonde, co-founder of Deep Sky, discuss why carbon removal technology solutions are urgently needed and the opportunities to scale them.

Sustainable Packaging: Eco Guardian in Conversation

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Issam Majeed, Managing Director of Diversified Industries, BMO Corporate Finance sat down with Anil Abrol, Founder and CEO of Eco Guardian. Eco Guardian has been helping lead the way in sustainable packaging for the last 20 years and is at the forefront of the fight against environmental degradation, specializing in organic and eco-friendly products designed to minimize waste and pollution.

Building a Case for Zero-Carbon Construction in Canada

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:01:00 -0000

Zero-carbon construction is not just important for greenhouse gas emissions reduction—it can also be a smart investment for asset owners. Angela Adduci, Senior Advisor, Policy, BMO Climate Institute, sat down with Kathleen Beaumont, Director, Impact & ESG, Forum Asset Management, and Paul Morassutti, Chairman, CBRE Limited, to discuss new insights on the cost and asset values of zero-carbon residential construction in Canada.

Futureproofing the Dealership in a Time of Transformation

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:03:17 -0000

We all know the auto industry is headed toward electrification and alternative energy inputs. It’s an ambitious undertaking, and dealers have a lot to consider regarding how they will decarbonize and what the future of the dealership will look like.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer.

BMO Equity Research on the AI + Data Center Build Out: Sustainability Impacts, Second Order Beneficiaries

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:28:00 -0000

This episode from BMO's IN Tune podcast focuses on how the AI/data center build out is contributing to a new era of electricity demand.

Sustainable Food Systems: Trends and Opportunities

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, George Sutherland, Senior Advisor with the BMO Climate Institute sat down with John Simpson, Chairman, Owner, and CEO of the CANA Group of Companies and Founder of The Simpson Centre, and Guillaume Lhermie, Director of The Simpson Centre and Associate Professor at the University of Calgary to discuss the trends and opportunities in sustainable food systems.

Dairy Industry Goals: GHG Neutrality and Water Management

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, our experts discuss the implementation efforts that enable progress towards the dairy industry for the 2050 environmental goals.

The Intersection of Equity and the Environment

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Melissa Fifield sat down with Mil Niepold, Founder and President of The Mara Partners (TMP), a strategic advisory company working at the intersection of equity and the environment.

Farmer-Led Climate Solutions, Part 2

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 07:05:00 -0000

In part 2, Alma Cortes Selva, Senior Advisor at the BMO Climate Institute, speaks with Jim Winn from Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance about his experience introducing sustainable practices such as cover crop usage and seeing the impact on yield and net return per acre.

Farmer-Led Climate Solutions, Part 1

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 07:01:00 -0000

Alma Cortes Selva, Senior Advisor at the BMO Climate Institute, speaks with Lauren Brey about her work at Farmers for Sustainable Food and the experience of Paul Cornette from Peninsula Pride Farms of shifting to sustainable farming practices.

Sustainable Living: Understanding Home Retrofits

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:01:00 -0000

This episode dives into the benefits of energy-efficient upgrades to help homeowners make informed choices that can reduce energy costs, improve comfort and contribute to a healthier environment. Host: Ashish Arora, Regional Vice President of Specialized Sales Group, BMO. Guests: Paul Doucet, Principal Architect at Sustainable; Sarah Grant, Certified Energy Auditor, and Founder of Goldfinch Energy; Lori Zucchiatti O'Neill and Michael O'Neill, homeowners that have retrofitted their home.

Accelerating Financing for Retrofits

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, James Burrow, sat down with Aaron Berg, head of the Building Retrofits Initiative at Canada Infrastructure Bank; Martha Campbell, Principal of Carbon Free buildings at the Rocky Mountain Institutes; and Matt Golden, CEO of Recurve, an energy efficiency services company located in California to discuss accelerating deep energy retrofits to buildings in Canada.

Food, Ag, Fertilizer, and ESG From BMO’s 19th Annual Farm to Market Conference: BMO Equity Research

Thu, 30 May 2024 14:34:58 -0000

In this episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast, host Camilla Sutton is joined by Kelly Bania, Joel Jackson, Doug Morrow and Andrew Strelzik to discuss the takeaways from BMO’s 19th Annual Farm to Market Conference and stretches across the food and agriculture value chain.

Incorporating Climate Risk in Valuations

Tue, 28 May 2024 07:01:00 -0000

How can climate change impact financial markets and the regulatory landscape, and how might investors be able to integrate climate risks and opportunities into their capital allocation strategies? Listen to our latest episode.

Supporting Renewable Fuel Programs

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:01:00 -0000

Last year, BMO and Imperial Oil donated money to the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering to support Schulich Racing (F1), Off-Road (Baja) and Renewable Fuel teams. Learn more in this episode.

Understanding America’s Carbon Markets

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:01:00 -0000

Listen to the key takeaways from a panel Rachel Walsh, Environmental Commodities Strategist at BMO Capital Markets joined, titled: “America’s Carbon Markets: The Only Way is up. Or is it?”

Canada Inflation: Moving in the right direction?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:06:00 -0000

In this Sustainability Leaders episode, Alma Cortés Selva is joined by Doug Porter and Dr. José Nuño-Ledesma, Assistant Professor of Food Industry Economics and Management at the University of Guelph, to discuss Canada’s food inflation from both a domestic and international standpoint.

U.S. Inflation: Where are we headed?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:02:00 -0000

In the U.S., inflation has been persistent and it’s one of the trickiest indexes to measure from an economic standpoint, according to Erik Johnson, Senior Economist and Vice President, BMO Economics. This episode touches on U.S. inflation, housing costs, and extreme weather events.

Making Renewable Energy Technology Accessible to Underserved Communities: GRID Alternatives in Conversation

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:01:00 -0000

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in helping economic and environmental justice communities nationwide get clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs, and our energy access work is lighting up off-grid communities across the globe.

Carbon Accounting: How to Strengthen Corporate Climate Plans

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:01:00 -0000

The more companies take climate action, the less confident they seem to be about their actions having an impact on what’s causing the climate to change. Learn how something called carbon accounting can help.

Battery Technology Advances Are Driving EV Industry Optimism

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Learn why a BloombergNEF analyst is not so worried about the slowdown in global electric vehicle (EV) sales.

The Role of Insurance in Creating Climate Change Resilience

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:02:00 -0000

The availability of insurance can play a critical role in the deploying of capital toward climate action. BMO spoke with Natalia Moudrak, Senior Director, North America Climate, Aon.

Loan Programs Office on Financing Emerging Clean Technology

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:01:00 -0000

BMO spoke with Elizabeth Bellis Wolfe, Senior Advisor at the Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office (LPO), one of the highest-profile programs financing new energy technology is the U.S.

How Satellites can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:01:00 -0000

Learn about the role of satellites in measuring, managing, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and how this technology is being operationalized by the private sector and governments.

Jigar Shah on Financing the Energy Transition

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 23:14:49 -0000

Jigar Shah, Director, Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy, shares what younger clean energy companies should understand about LPO and how equity investors view its diligence process.

Ontario’s New Sustainable Bond Framework

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:01:00 -0000

Magali Gable, Director of Sustainable Finance, sat down with Elizabeth Wallace and Alex Wood, Assistant Deputy Minister, Climate Change, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, to discuss the province of Ontario's new sustainable bond framework.

The Role of Responsible Mining in the Clean Energy Transition: ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan in Conversation

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:22:45 -0000

The energy transition has brought transformation to the mining sector. Colin Hamilton, Commodities Analyst, BMO Capital Markets, sat down with the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)’s President and CEO Rohitesh Dhawan to discuss what the industry needs to do to embrace nature-positive mining.

Becoming Nature Positive in the Mining Sector

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:24:19 -0000

Listen to BMO experts and Carleigh Whitman, Head, Nature & Closure at Teck Resources Limited, discuss how companies are incorporating nature into their decision-making and more.

How NASA and IBM Are Using Geospatial Data and AI to Analyze Climate Risks

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:01:00 -0000

Michael Torrance sat down with Kevin Murphy, Chief Science State Officer at NASA, and Raghu Ganti, a Principal Research Scientist at IBM Research, to discuss how NASA’s data collection strategies are helping to develop and improve geospatial models, creating opportunities to better understand environmental risks.

What COP28 Means for the Future of the Energy Transition

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:01:00 -0000

Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec, Jonathan Hackett, Vice Chair, BMO Capital Markets, and George Sutherland, Senior Advisor to the BMO Climate Institute, sat down with and to discuss key developments at COP28 and what they mean for the future of sustainable finance and the energy transition.

Understanding the Inner Workings of AI: Part 2

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 08:01:00 -0000

Listen to part two of our two-part series around artificial intelligence featuring Rosa van den Beemt, director of stewardship in Responsible Investment at BMO Global Asset Management, and Ebrahim Bagheri, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Understanding the Inner Workings of AI: Part 1

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:01:00 -0000

“The excitement around artificial intelligence comes from the fact that the machines now don't need humans' explicit instructions, but rather they look at past historical patterns based on historical data, and learn how to do those things themselves.” Listen to part one of our two-part series with Rosa van den Beemt, Director of Stewardship in Responsible Investment at BMO Global Asset Management, and Ebrahim Bagheri, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson.

Extreme Temperatures: How North American Cities Amplify Climate Change

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:50:07 -0000

After record-breaking heat in the summer, 2023 is on track to be the hottest year ever. Listen to learn why.

The C-suite is increasingly in Front on Climate

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:01:00 -0000

More companies have plans to address climate change based on rising business importance, according to results of the second annual poll commissioned by the BMO Climate Institute. Listen now.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs: Andy Blair in Conversation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:05:00 -0000

Today, we’re joined by Andy Blair, Co-Founder of Upflow, a geothermal, research, and innovation company based in New Zealand. Upflow is dedicated to harnessing the vast potential of geothermal energy to provide intelligent solutions to global industries.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs: Menna Farouk in Conversation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:04:00 -0000

Today, we’re joined by Menna Farouk, Founder and CEO of Dosy, a tech-based scooter and bicycle riding platform for women and girls. Dosy aims to encourage women and girls in Egypt to ride scooters and bicycles by connecting them with riding instructors.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs: Diana Mbogo in Conversation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:03:00 -0000

Today, we’re joined by Diana Mbogo, Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd, a renewable energy social enterprise in Tanzania that focuses on developing customized energy solutions.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs: Karin Sempf in Conversation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:02:00 -0000

Today, we’re joined by Karin Sempf, CEO and Founder of Innova Nation, an educational lab focused on motivating and empowering the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and sustainability advocates.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs: Susan Blanchet in Conversation

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:01:00 -0000

Today, we’re joined by Susan Blanchet, CEO and Founder of Origen Air. Origen Air provides a complete indoor air purification solution.

Solving for the Ocean Plastic Crisis: 4Ocean in Conversation

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Our guest today, Alex Schulze, CEO and founder of 4Ocean, speaks to their mission and how they’ve removed over 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean to date. Listen to Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, and Alex to learn more.

Transforming the Textile Industry: Apparel Impact Institute in Conversation

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sat down with Lewis Perkins, President of the Apparel Impact Institute, to discuss The Apparel Impact Institute's vision of "a transformed apparel, footwear, and textile industry that has a positive impact on people and the planet."

Reducing Emissions in the Transportation Sector

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:01:00 -0000

BMO Radicle experts Christine VanDerwill, Partnerships Manager; Cooper Robinson, Innovation Lead; and Brad Neff, Director, Innovation, Low Carbon Fuels, discuss opportunities to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.

Understanding the Voluntary Carbon Market

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer, sat down with Tansy Stobart, VP of Strategy for BMO Radicle, to discuss the voluntary carbon market, including some of the latest trends in what the future has in store.

Protecting Outdoor Spaces: The Conservation Alliance in Conversation

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sat down with Conor McElyea to discuss how The Conservation Alliance is working to “protect wild places and outdoor spaces.”

Building Meaningful Connections with Nature: Parks California in Conversation

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Melissa Fifield, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, sat down with Kindley Walsh Lawlor to discuss Parks California, which launched in 2019 as the official statutory statewide partner to California State Parks.

How Carbon Capture Investments Can Generate Carbon Credits

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Carbon capture technologies represent one of the best near-term opportunities to reduce C02 emissions. Still, the current challenge is their cost can make it difficult for entities to develop them independently. Listen to our latest episode to learn more.

Quick Listen: Hope and Opportunities in a Time of Extremes

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:02:00 -0000

Amid a steady stream of news about extreme temperatures and natural disasters, Melissa Fifield, the head of the BMO Institute, distinguishes between being optimistic about climate change and having hope.

Sustainable CRE Part 2: Carbon Strategies and Retrofits

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 08:02:00 -0000

The commercial real estate industry will be a key player in helping the nation meet Canada’s net-zero emissions goals. Listen to part two of our two-part series, where industry leaders offer perspectives on key sustainability topics and the outlook for what's ahead.

Sustainable CRE Part 1: Sustainability Strategy and the Role Banks Play

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:02:00 -0000

The commercial real estate industry will be a key player in helping the nation meet Canada’s net-zero emissions goals. Listen to part one of our two-part series, where industry leaders offer perspectives on key sustainability topics and the outlook for what's ahead.

Grégoire Baillargeon on Funding the Energy Transition

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Hastening the energy transition requires a holistic view of the economy and stronger collaboration and coordination across industries to build more momentum toward a net-zero economy. Those were some of the main takeaways from the Green and Clean: Redefining Finance for a Sustainable Future panel at the International Economic Forum of the Americas Conference in Montreal 2023.

Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC): Mark Podlasly in Conversation

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0000

Clio Straram, Head, Indigenous Banking at BMO, sat down with Mark Podlasly, Chief Sustainability Officer, First Nations Major Project Coalition, to discuss Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

How Auto Dealers Are Helping Drive the Transition to Net Zero

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:03:00 -0000

Carmakers are working toward net zero, but eliminating carbon emissions altogether, the source of 15% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, will require buy-in from all parts of the automotive supply chain. That includes auto dealers, who are beginning to grapple with their role in the energy transition.

The Canadian Wildfires Are Still Burning: Experts Explain

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:01:00 -0000

By the end of June, Canada was already experiencing its worst wildfire season in recorded history. In an effort to address the impact these events are having on the country, George Sutherland, Senior Advisor, Climate Change & Sustainability with the BMO Climate Institute, sat down with Mike Flannigan, the B.C. Innovation Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science at Thompson Rivers University, and Ray Ault, Director of Prevention and Mitigation with FireSmart Canada. Listen now.

Links:

What a Futuristic Mindset Means for Sustainability

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Jonathan Hackett, Former Head of Sustainable Finance, BMO Capital Markets, is joined by Roger Spitz, an international bestselling author, President of Techistential, and founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute. The two experts discuss the future of sustainability and the role of companies, investors and technology. Listen now!

Quick Listen: Michael Torrance on Empowering Your Organization to Operationalize Sustainability

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:01:00 -0000

Michael Torrance, BMO Chief Sustainability Officer, participated in a panel at the IBM THINK conference to discuss sustainability and the role financial institutions play in creating a sustainable future.

Quick Listen: Darryl White on the Importance of US-Canada Partnership

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:38:21 -0000

Chief Executive Officer at BMO Financial Group, Darryl White, addresses the audience at the US-Canada Summit, hosted by BMO and the geopolitical risk advisory firm Eurasia Group, to highlight the changing dynamics of trade, food, energy security, the environment (and more) in North America as the world order experiences its greatest shifts in decades.

Food, Ag, Fertilizer, and ESG From BMO’s 18th Annual Farm to Market Conference

Wed, 31 May 2023 14:33:45 -0000

In this episode from BMO Equity Research IN Tune Podcast, we are joined by BMO Capital Markets’ CEO & Group Head Dan Barclay as he moderates a discussion on the takeaways from BMO’s 18th Annual Farm to Market Conference across the food and agriculture value chain.

Understanding the Link Between Cybersecurity and ESG

Wed, 10 May 2023 20:15:54 -0000

This episode focuses on cybersecurity and how it is now regarded as a critical environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concern.

How veritree is Helping Restore our Planet

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 07:01:00 -0000

With Earth Day upon us, May Lim sat down with David Luba, co-founder of veritree, a company that connects businesses with verified tree-planting projects to help restore our planet.

Did ESG Cause SVB to Collapse? BMO Equity Research Report

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:53:15 -0000

The argument being put forward is that SVB management was overly concerned with DE&I, ESG policies and sustainable finance, all of which distracted them from focusing on their core mission. Doug Morrow and his team disagree with this assessment. Here’s why.

North America’s Critical Minerals Advantage? Deep Dive on Community Engagement

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:02:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Susan McGeachie is joined by Remi Piet, Co-Founder & Senior Partner at Embellie Advisory, to discuss everything from prevailing concern over accelerating geopolitical competition for access to critical minerals to the role of climate justice in the energy transition.

Evolving Mining for a Sustainable Energy Transition: ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan in Conversation

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 18:36:10 -0000

Dan Barclay, Chief Executive Officer of BMO Capital Markets, sat down with Rohitesh on the ground at our 32nd Global Metals, Mining & Critical Minerals Conference to discuss the shift in demand to critical minerals and more. Listen now.

BMO Equity Research on BMO Radicle and the World of Carbon Credits

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:03:00 -0000

In this special episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast, we are joined by Doug Morrow, ESG Analyst; Rachel Walsh, Carbon Innovation Analyst; Saj Shapiro, Head, BMO Radicle; and Chelsea Bryant, Managing Director, Trading, BMO Radicle, who discuss the interplay between BMO Radicle, energy transition, and the world of carbon credits.

Quick Listen: Darryl White on the Economic Implications of a Rapidly-Aging Society

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:01:00 -0000

Chief Executive Officer at BMO Financial Group, Darryl White, participated in a great panel discussion at the World Economic Forum to discuss the economic implications of a rapidly-aging society, including why life stages like education milestones, developing your career, finding a home, or planning for retirement are changing.

Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) – A Plan for Integrating

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 08:01:00 -0000

Michael Torrance is joined by Nathalie Borgeaud, Lead, Financial Markets Stakeholder Engagement of Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), to discuss how the TNFD has created a framework for organizations to shift away from nature-negative outcomes and move toward nature-positive outcomes.

Is RNG Right for Your Farm?

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:41:02 -0000

The economics of renewable natural gas, or RNG, and the evolution of carbon markets have generated serious interest in the byproducts of animal agriculture. It's creating opportunities for livestock producers to expand their operations, diversify their revenue and improve their own carbon footprints. BMO recently moderated a panel of agriculture industry and financing experts to discuss carbon markets, negotiating the deal, issues around installing digesters, and the potential impacts that RNG projects can have on a farm’s operations and finances.

Discussing ESG Trends in the Base Metal and Diversified Mining Industries

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 08:01:00 -0000

Today, we have a special episode from BMO's IN Tune podcast that aired on October 28, 2022. Camilla Sutton, MD in our BMO equity research group is joined by Doug Morrow, BMO’s Director of ESG Strategy, to go over the key findings from the department’s recent launch of ESG coverage for the base metals and diversified mining industries. Let’s take a listen.

Favoriser la prospérité du Canada au 21e siècle

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 08:05:00 -0000

« Le Canada et ses partenaires nordaméricains peuvent se démarquer au 21e siècle, mais seulement si nous pouvons clairement déterminer nos forces, concentrer nos efforts sur les avantages naturels les plus stratégiques que nous avons et adopter une ambition commune quant à ce qui peut être accompli. » Darryl White, Chef de la direction, BMO Groupe financier.

Achieving Canada’s Net-Zero Ambition Requires a Paradigm Shift

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 08:02:00 -0000

Susan McGeachie, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, is joined by Dan Wicklum, President and CEO of The Transition Accelerator, a pan-Canadian charity that creates positive, transformational system changes that solve societal challenges while moving Canada down viable pathways to reach net zero by 2050, to discuss how it is supporting Canada's road to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Employee Ownership: A Panel Discussion

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:02:00 -0000

In the U.S., employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, have long been an effective tool for both business owners and employees. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, there are approximately 7,000 ESOPs in the U.S. that hold about $1.7 trillion in assets, covering nearly 14 million workers. Businesses in Canada, however, have not been able to take full advantage of the employee-owned structure. But the tide is turning.

Climate Change Risk for US REITs

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

In this special episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast, host Camilla Sutton is joined by Doug Morrow and Juan Sanabria to discuss the key findings from their recent note on climate change impacts on US real estate companies.

EV Acceleration: The IRA's Value Chain Strategy with BCG

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 08:03:00 -0000

Learn about the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) when it comes to the EV transition and the importance of building out robust supply chains. Katie Shuter, Climate Change and Sustainability Analyst with the BMO Climate Institute is joined by Nathan Niese, BCG Global Lead for Electric Vehicles, to discuss this evolving topic.

COP27 in Focus: What to Expect From this Year’s UN Climate Change Conference

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:15:21 -0000

Between rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) may be a more subdued affair, but investors have become acutely aware of the financial impacts of climate change and the importance of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Listen to our BMO experts as they discuss what to expect from this year’s UN Climate Change Conference.

Public Policy and the Energy Transition: Howard Learner in Conversation

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 13:03:39 -0000

Aaron Engen, Vice Chair of Investment & Corporate Banking and Co-Head of the Energy Transition group at BMO Capital Markets, sat down with Howard Learner, Executive Director of Environmental Law & Policy Center, at the inaugural Transition Think Summit in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this month, where leaders from the private and public spheres came together to discuss climate change solutions. Aaron and Howard discussed the role of public policy in the Energy Transition and where it must intersect with technology and innovation to help pave the road to net zero by 2050.

Electric Vehicle Economics

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:10:00 -0000

The growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market is critical to the transition toward net zero. BMO Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Torrance is joined by BMO Economist Erik Johnson, who focuses on the transformation of the auto sector and tracking the evolution of demand and supply of the zero-emissions vehicle.

The Voluntary Carbon Market: New Report by BMO Equity Research

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:44:07 -0000

In this special episode from the BMO IN Tune Podcast, our BMO experts discuss the Voluntary Carbon markets, including why they are important, what they are used for, how pricing works, and everything else that is critical for investors to understand.

Accelerating an Indigenous-led Clean Energy Future

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:28:00 -0000

In this episode, our experts discuss renewable energy needs across Canada and opportunities to increase Indigenous participation in developments.

RoadMap Project: An Indigenous-led Paradigm Shift for Economic Reconciliation

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 18:46:27 -0000

In this episode, First Nations Financial Management Board CEO Geordie Hungerford and Data and Analytics Manager, Shawn Blankinship, discuss the Roadmap Project, which features six areas on how to help nations advance and begin to share in the prosperity of Canada.

Reaching the EV Tipping Point

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:19:14 -0000

In this episode, BMO and Bloomberg discuss a subject that is fundamental to the energy transition: Electric Vehicles and why EV sales are surging.

On-Farm Carbon and Emissions Management: Opportunities and Challenges

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:58:28 -0000

In this special episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast, our BMO experts discuss why the conversations around the role of farming in carbon and emissions management are intensifying.

Sustainability Strategy and Reporting for Small and Medium Sized Companies: A Discussion at the Conference of Montreal

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:00:00 -0000

The need for companies to integrate ESG performance criteria is an important mechanism to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to help in the transition to a net zero economy, according to the bilingual panelists at the recent International Economic Forum of the America’s Conference of Montreal.

Distinguishing Between Impact & Risk in Sustainable Finance - BMO Panel

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:02:00 -0000

Everyone has different goals regarding impact and risk in ESG integration and sustainable finance products. And it’s important to understand, both from the perspective of investors and issues, what the trade-offs are, according to panelists at the recent BMO Global Reserve and Asset Managers Conference.

The panel featured BMO’s Former Head of Sustainable Finance Jonathan Hackett, Kathrin Forrest, Vice President of Capital Group Canada, and Dan Novak, Senior Portfolio Manager and ESG Initiatives at Bank of Canada.

Investment Opportunities for a Net-Zero Economy: A Conversation at the Milken Institute Global Conference

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:35:50 -0000

Conversations around investing for an environmentally sustainable future have significantly changed over the last decade, shifting from avoiding potential risks to seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, according to panelists at the recent Milken Institute Global Conference. The panel, featured Dan Barclay, CEO of BMO Capital Markets, Giulia Chierchia, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Sustainability and Ventures at oil company BP, Edwin Conway, Global Head of Alternative Investors at Blackrock, John Graham, President and CEO at CPP Investments, Raymond Sagayam, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income at Pictet Asset Management and moderator Hiromichi Mizuno, Special Envoy of U.N. Secretary-General on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments.

How Hope, Grit, and a Hospital Network Saved Maverix Private Capital Founder John Ruffolo

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 18:01:01 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, join Dan Barclay, CEO of BMO Capital Markets, in conversation with John Ruffolo, one of Canada’s best known venture capitalists, John and Dan discuss an accident that left John unable to walk, his personal journey of recovery and the importance of the support he received from the University Health Network Foundation and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and why philanthropy is key to funding innovation and research in acute care.

Hydrogen’s Role in the Energy Transition: Matt Fairley in Conversation

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 07:01:00 -0000

Hydrogen holds lots of promise for decarbonizing heavy industry and is also one of the leading options for storing renewable energy. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, join host Nalini Feuilloley, BMO’s Head of Responsible Investment in this podcast discussion with Matthew Fairlie, Vice Chairman and Director of Next Hydrogen, on how hydrogen will be used to help in the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Case for Climate Justice: Patricia Fuller in Conversation

Tue, 31 May 2022 07:03:00 -0000

The manifestations of climate change - from oppressive heat to torrential floods – can impact vulnerable peoples the most. In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, George Sutherland, BMO Advisor, Climate Change and Sustainability, speaks to Patricia Fuller, Senior Fellow, University of Ottawa Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, about how climate change policies can advance the cause of climate justice both here and around the world.

Key Takeaways on Ag, Food, Fertilizer & ESG from BMO’s Farm to Market Conference

Thu, 26 May 2022 18:56:02 -0000

This special episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast digs into the core themes from BMO’s 17th annual Farm to Market Conference across the food and agriculture value chain. Listen to what BMO experts Dan Barclay, Bert Powell, Joel Jackson, Ken Zaslow and Doug Morrow had to say.

Financing the Transition to Net Zero: EDC and BMO in Collaboration

Mon, 02 May 2022 14:03:56 -0000

Join BMO Capital Markets Chief Executive Officer Dan Barclay as he hosts this special podcast discussion with Justine Hendricks, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer at Export Development Canada and BMO’s Jonathan Hackett, Head, Sustainable Finance, on the nature of the challenges and opportunities ahead as their organizations collaborate to help carbon intensive companies finance emissions reductions.

Retrofitting Canada's Building Sector: Efficiency Canada’s Corey Diamond in Conversation

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 07:01:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Susan McGeachie, Head of the BMO Climate Institute, hosts this special, Earth Day podcast discussion with Corey Diamond, Executive Director of Efficiency Canada on how Canada can help meet its climate ambitions through building retrofits.

The Role of Hydrogen in the Energy Transition: FuelCell Energy CEO Jason Few in Conversation

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 07:06:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Jonathan Hackett, Former Co-Head of the BMO Capital Markets Energy Transition Group and Former Head, Sustainable Finance, joins Jason Few, President and CEO of FuelCell Energy, in a conversation about the role of fuel cell energy and hydrogen in the transition to a low-carbon world. Listen to learn why clean baseload platforms, hydrogen and carbon capture are key to limiting global warming.

The Future of Remote Work & Diversity in Asset Management

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:31:50 -0000

This week on Sustainability Leaders, as we look to the next Milken Institute Global Conference in May, we look back at some of the issues that were top of mind at its last global gathering in October. The Milken Institute Global Conference 2021 hosted a panel with top experts, including Kristi Mitchem, CEO of BMO Global Asset Management. Panellists discussed a number of topics including the future of remote work and diversity and inclusion in the asset management industry.

Tackling Climate Change in Metals and Mining

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:44:53 -0000

Increasingly industry has come to the realization that to reach 2050 climate goals, big business must take a leadership role. That was one of the key takeaways from this conversation between Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and Dan Barclay, Chief Executive Officer of BMO Capital Markets, at the 2022 Global Metals and Mining Conference. In this episode, Barclay and Dhawan also discuss how ESG is the number one agenda item for this industry group that represents many of the world’s largest mining companies.

Why Changing Behaviour is Key to a Low Carbon Future – Dan Barclay

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 20:46:35 -0000

Increasingly more companies and governments have come to realize that the global economy must become more sustainable or risk an environmental-related collapse. That was one of the key takeaways from the 2021 Milken Global Institute Conference panel on Investing in a Sustainable Business Transition. The panel featured Dan Barclay, CEO and Group Head at BMO Capital Markets, Jorge Mesquita, CEO, Blue Triton Brands, Hiromichi Mizuno, Special Envoy of U.N. Secretary-General on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments – Special Advisor, Milken Institute, Anthony Pratt, Executive Chairman, Visy Industries and Executive Chairman, Pratt Industries, and Shally Shanker, founder and managing partner, AiiM Partners, and was moderated by Milken Institute Senior Director, Innovative Finance, Caitlin MacLean.

Accelerating Access to Capital for Minority-Owned Businesses

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:31:35 -0000

The disparity in access to capital for Black and Brown founders is well documented, as is the low number of Black and Brown leaders in private equity and venture investing. But promising trends have and disruptive solutions are being put into play to drive change. This episode of Sustainability Leaders is from a recent BMO EMpower Summit, where leaders of color in the investment space share their thoughts on implementing innovative strategies to bridge the resource and capital gap for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.

The Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – A Discussion with Basile Van Havre

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:56:52 -0000

Join BMO’s Michael Torrance and Mr. Basile van Havre as they discuss the Pre- and Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, what functions it serves, the goal of COP15, the importance of biodiversity protections for countries and the potential impacts if the world fails to act.

CCUS: De-Carbonizing Canada’s Oil & Gas Industry

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:44:19 -0000

In this special Sustainability Leaders episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast that aired in late December, BMO’s Camilla Sutton, MD in Equity Research, joins BMO’s Doug Morrow, Ben Pham, and John Gibson to discuss how Carbon, Capture, Usage, and Storage (also known as CCUS) represents one of the best near-term opportunities to reduce C02 emissions, particularly as Canada looks to meet its 2030 and 2050 reduction targets.

Using Geospatial Big Data for Climate, Finance and Sustainability

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 14:04:00 -0000

Join BMO’s Michael Torrance, Justin Huntington, Founder and Chief Science Officer of Climate Engine, and Jamie Herring, CEO of Climate Engine, as they discuss Climate Engine’s innovative spatial analytics tools leveraging Earth Engine and satellite big data to analyze climate risk, for sustainability management and climate finance. Climate Engine is a firm that specializes in the unique delivery of satellite-based data insights to support climate resilience, sustainability and predict climate risk.

Dan Barclay & Hiro Mizuno Discuss the Green Revolution

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 14:00:00 -0000

On this special episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO’s Dan Barclay joined Hiromichi Mizuno, Special Envoy of U.N. Secretary-General on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments, to discuss COP26, the role of finance and banking in the battle against climate change and the transition to a low carbon world.

Women Business Owners Taking on Sustainability

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO's John Uhren spoke with two of the women awarded a grant through our BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program. Melissa Tashjian, Founder and CEO of Compost Crusader, and Christal Earle, Founder and CEO of Brave Soles, discuss their innovative businesses and how they’re driving sustainable outcomes for their clients and customers.

Reaching for Net Zero with Sustainable Finance

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 21:03:19 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO's Jonathan Hackett spoke with Justine Hendricks, Senior Vice-President and Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer, Sustainable Business and Enablement, at Export Development Canada (EDC), on the ground in Glasgow as the COP26 was coming to a close. The two experts discussed how EDC has evolved with the growing global focus on Climate Change and why sustainable finance will be so important to reaching a net zero world.

Promising Views Coming out of COP26

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 21:04:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO's Nalini Feuilloley, Director of Responsible Investment Team, spoke with Fiona Reynolds, CEO of the United Nations Supported Principles for Responsible Investment, on the ground in Glasgow as the COP26 rolled into its final days. The two experts discussed how the UN Climate Conference has changed, why COP26 has been so unique, and what the road looks like going forward to next year's COP meeting in Egypt and beyond.

The Global Energy Transition: Darryl White & John Graham Discuss

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:58:48 -0000

On this special episode of Sustainability Leaders, BMO Financial Group's CEO, Darryl White, sat down with John Graham, President, and Chief Executive Officer at CPP Investments, at this year's International Economic Forum of the Americas' Toronto Global Forum. The two discussed sustainable investing and capital allocation in the context of the global energy transition.

The Risk of Permafrost Thaw on People, Infrastructure & Our Future Climate

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 19:46:00 -0000

Three experts discuss the science of how climate change is impacting permafrost, the trends, and risk of permafrost, and how permafrost is fundamentally linked to all of us through environmental systems. Join George Sutherland, Climate Change and Sustainability Advisor in BMO's Climate Institute, Dr. Fabrice Calmels, Permafrost and Geoscience Research Chair at the Yukon University Research Center, and Paul Murchison, Executive Director, Major Transportation Programs at Government of Yukon in part two of our Impacts of a Changing Climate series.

Climate Change & Flood Risk: Implications for Real Estate Markets

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:42:27 -0000

Join George Sutherland, Climate Change and Sustainability Advisor at the BMO's Climate Institute and Blair Feltmate, Professor and Head of Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at University of Waterloo, in part one of our Impacts of a Changing Climate series as they discuss how (and why) flooding has accelerated at an increasing rate, and how it’s become not only an environmental issue, but a pressing economic and humanitarian issue as well.

What to Expect out of COP26: Interview with IETA CEO

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 07:04:00 -0000

“Working together, you can tap the lowest cost opportunities in any given place. And as you're pursuing net zero, you can tap into the opportunities for carbon capture and storage or nature-based removals. You can get to the goal faster and cheaper than if each country acts in isolation,” says Dirk Forrister, CEO, International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)

Join Susan McGeachie, Head of the BMO Climate Institute and Dirk as they discuss IETA’s history and global role as the business voice on markets solutions for climate and what to expect out of COP26 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference).

Director of ESG at BMO Talks COP26 & the Changing ESG Landscape

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:46:30 -0000

Join BMO’s Camilla Sutton, MD in Equity Research, and Doug Morrow, Director of ESG at BMO Capital Markets, in this special episode from BMO’s IN Tune Podcast. IN Tune features Equity Research analysts from BMO Capital Markets and explores key emerging themes, trends, and important issues to our institutional clients globally. Listen to our two experts as they take a deep dive into the ESG landscape and equities.

Why Now is the Time to Improve Disability-Inclusion Practices

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 16:24:02 -0000

Join Paulette Jagers, Managing Director of Strategic Talent Initiatives at BMO, Jason Brommet, Head of Modern Work and Security Business at Microsoft, and Leslie Anderson, Global Head of Employee Tech Experience and U.S. Chief Technology, Resiliency and Experience Operations Officer for BMO Financial Group. in a conversation about why it is essential for employers to come from a place of empathy and work in partnership with their employees to dissolve barriers to inclusion. From hiring, to accessibility best practices, to employee experience, this episode touches on it all.

Solving Canada’s Dire Need for Safe and Affordable Housing

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:20:00 -0000

Affordable and accessible housing continues to be top of mind for Canadians, with prices reaching historic heights and demand far outpacing supply. Join BMO’s Dan Adams and Justin Marchand, Chief Executive Officer at Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), as they discuss the housing crisis facing Indigenous communities as well as individuals in rural and urban areas, and the critical role that OAHS plays in actively making a positive difference in society.

Today’s Youth Discuss Sustainability-Related Issues

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 07:05:00 -0000

BMO recently hosted a Thinktank event to provide seven young people from Plan International Canada’s “Girl’s Belong Here” program an opportunity to consult and share unique perspectives on sustainability-related issues. The event was facilitated by BMO’s Sustainability team and framed around a 3-part discussion on sustainability and just transition topics. Listen what today’s youth had to say.

Canada’s Bid to Host the New ISSB Headquarters

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:44:24 -0000

The lack of common sustainability reporting standards across jurisdictions is a critical challenge for businesses and the financial sector in supporting the global shift to a more sustainable world, and it's an issue that concerns all of us, from climate change leaders to governments and regulators. Join BMO's Jean-Simon Farrah, Director, Canadian Government Relations, Charles Antoine St-Jean, CEO of CPA Canada, and BMO's Simon Fish, Special Advisor on Climate Changes, as they discuss Canada's bid to host the ISSB secretariat and the opportunities and challenges surrounding sustainability reporting standards.

Part 2: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:58:01 -0000

In this second installment of our two-part series on Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, BMO’s Kona Goulet and Dr. Sinclair discuss the history of the residential schools system and its true impact on Canada’s indigenous.

Part 1: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:25:46 -0000

“We still have that story today. That story today is still very much one that came from residential schools, which is that Indigenous peoples don't matter. So that may be shocking for Canadians, but it's something that people need to hear in order to get to the truth, because we cannot get to reconciliation without understanding what's happened,” says Sustainability Leaders guest Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Professor in Native Studies and Head of the Native Studies Department at the University of Manitoba.

Join BMO’s Kona Goulet in this two-part series discussion with Dr. Sinclair around the history of Indigenous communities and residential schools system.

Closing the Racial Wealth Gap With Measurable Actions

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 07:04:00 -0000

Over the past year and a half, we've seen the business community step up and speak out about diversity and equity like never before. But achieving economic equity not only requires moving beyond meaningful dialogue to taking real action. We recently convened a panel of esteemed business leaders to share their unique perspectives and concrete ideas on how businesses can support efforts to close the racial wealth gap and drive lasting change.

A transcript of this episode is available at bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Housing

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 18:22:03 -0000

"Investing in housing for all Canadians means removing barriers that exclude so many from a better life," said Sharon Haward-Laird, General Counsel and Co-Chair of BMO's Sustainability Council, BMO Financial Group. BMO recently announced a commitment to finance affordable housing over a ten-year period in support of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) aspiration that all Canadians have a home that they can afford and that meets their needs by 2030.

Sharon Haward-Laird joins Sustainability Leaders host Jonathan Hackett, Romy Bowers, President and CEO of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Chief R. Don Maracle, Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and Mike McGahan, CEO, InterRent REIT to discuss this new commitment to build a more inclusive society.

A transcript of this episode is available at bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Big Oil Investors Mandate Action On Climate Change

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 07:05:00 -0000

This year’s proxy voting season brought a clear message: Investors want to see greater ambition on climate change. This was especially apparent within the oil and gas sector, where three large companies were mandated to do more to accelerate change. Andrew Logan, Senior Director, Oil and Gas at Ceres, joins Sustainability Leaders host Nalini Feuilloley in a discussion that recaps the recent outcomes for Big Oil during proxy voting season and what it may mean for corporates around the world. Plus, Andrew discusses why it might be a greater risk for companies to be too slow on addressing climate change than moving too quickly. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast

Consolidating the Crowded Sustainability Reporting Landscape

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Sustainability Leaders host Whitney McWade, is joined by Maria Theofilaktidis and Larry Leva, from the IFRS Foundation, and Katie Schmitz Eulitt, with Value Reporting Foundation (formerly Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) to discuss the evolution of corporate reporting in a world where corporations are increasingly expected to manage their businesses in the interest of a wide array of stakeholders, including customers, communities, employees, NGOs, and of course shareholders.

Nuclear Energy and the Sustainability Conversation

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Sustainability Leaders host Jonathan Hackett, is joined by Alec Cheng, who serves as Vice President and Treasurer at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and John Mauti, OPG's Chief Financial Officer in a conversation about sustainability and the role of nuclear energy as OPG, one of the largest, most diverse low-cost power generators in North America, strides toward a post-carbon economy. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast

Value Balancing Alliance: Going Beyond Financials

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:06:00 -0000

Michael Torrance, Chief Sustainability Officer with BMO Financial Group, speaks with Christian Heller, CEO of the Value Balancing Alliance, a not-for-profit group of 16 international companies that focuses on the development and standardization of a management accounting model to protect and create long-term value. Tune in for this discussion about how using better methodologies to assess and incorporate long-term values into decision-making can also help companies maximize profit. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Looking Back to Go Forward with Indigenous Communities

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Guest host Kona Goulet, Head, Indigenous Equity and Inclusion, BMO and Cree-Métis originally from La Ronge in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, speaks to Dr. Bob Kayseas, Interim President and Vice President Academic of First Nations University of Canada, who specializes in Indigenous Business and Public Administration. As we reflect on the tragic discovery of the remains of an estimated 215 children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, join us in this conversation about the legacy and impact of the Indian Residential School system, Indigenous history, and the important role of education in the road to reconciliation.

Biggest Trends in Food and Ag, From ESG to Inflation to the Supply Chain

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:30:15 -0000

In this special episode of Sustainability Leaders, Dan Barclay, CEO of BMO Capital Markets, moderates a discussion on trends across the food and agriculture value chain with takeaways from BMO’s 16th Annual Farm to Market Conference. BMO experts include Joel Jackson, Fertilizers and Chemicals Analyst; Kelly Bania, Food Retail Analyst; and Ken Zaslow, Food and Agribusiness Analyst. Dan and the three analysts discuss this resilient industry that has survived and even thrived during challenging times and take a deep dive into core themes at this year’s conference, including the importance of ESG practices, concerns over inflation, and supply chain challenges. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Financing a Smooth and Sustainable Recovery

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:34:00 -0000

BMO hosted a discussion in conjunction with Suncor and the Milken Institute, on streamlining and financing the business transition to a lower-carbon future. Moderated by Dan Barclay, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Capital Markets, a panel of experts looked at how the industry is mapping the march toward net zero and banks’ roles in financing the transition. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast

Eradicating Modern Slavery From the Supply Chain

Tue, 25 May 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Slavery is not a relic of the past, but something that is still a problem today. In fact, it is estimated that over 40 million people are living in slavery around the world. Investors and companies are getting more and more aware of the need to understand their exposure to forced labor and modern slavery and to act in some way to eradicate these practices.

Rosey Hurst joins the podcast to discuss the importance of improving labour practices globally throughout the supply chain and her work in improving labour practices in supply chains, the types of risks companies face for enabling modern slavery, and what the future might look like with the mitigation of these forced labour practices. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast

CarbonCure and the Role of Industry in Fighting Climate Change

Tue, 18 May 2021 15:38:20 -0000

Sustainability Leaders host Jonathan Hackett and Scott Brison, BMO Vice-chair for Investment and Corporate Banking and a former member of parliament for Kings-Hants, Nova Scotia, speak to Robert Niven, CEO and founder of CarbonCure Technologies, a Nova Scotia company that manufacturers a technology that introduces recycled CO2 into fresh concrete to reduce its carbon footprint. Join us in this lively conversation about how key industries like concrete are taking action to fight climate change. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders.

What Can Investors Do About the Opioid Crisis?

Tue, 04 May 2021 07:05:00 -0000

In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that more than 130 people die each day from overdosing on opioids and millions more abuse prescription pain relievers every year. How did the use of opioids as a painkiller spiral into the addiction crisis it is today? And how can changes be made in the future to mitigate this crisis? Enter the Investors for Opioid and Pharmaceutical Accountability (IOPA). The group, which had 67 members with over $4 trillion in assets under management as of July 2020, uses investor engagement to make changes within the entire supply chain to hold companies accountable for their actions.

Meredith Miller joins BMO’s Catherine McCabe to discuss how IOPA was formed, how it engages with three main subgroups of the opioid supply chain, and their initiatives around corporate governance through 2021 and beyond. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Understanding Biodiversity Management: Best Practices and Innovation

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Michael Torrance is joined by Dr. Mark Johnston, Strategy Lead for Nature-based Solutions & Biodiversity at BP, and member of the newly formed working group TFND (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosure), to discuss how biodiversity applies to everything in a natural world and the private sector role in delivering a sustainable working framework. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

The Changing Face of Sustainability: tentree for a Greener Planet

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:53:03 -0000

Jonathan Hackett is joined by Derrick Emsley, CEO and Co-Founder of tentree, the Canadian lifestyle apparel brand whose first mission is to plant 10 trees for every product sold, in a discussion about carbon offsets, tree planting and how the way we look at sustainability is changing. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

CN - Sustainability and the Future of Rail

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0000

John Uhren is joined by Chantale Després, Assistant Vice-President Sustainability, at CN, to discuss sustainability strategy at one of the world’s top transportation and logistics companies, starting with a freshly-inked $2 billion sustainability linked loan that was the largest in Canadian history. For a transcript of this episode please visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast

Accelerating the Clean Economy

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:05:00 -0000

Jonathan Hackett is joined by Elizabeth Shirt, Managing Director from GLOBE Series, to talk about working towards a more sustainable, prosperous, and socially just future. In this interview, hear about how GLOBE Series is part of a group of organizations, each of which brings something different to the table, creating a powerful drive toward a common vision. For a transcript of this episode visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: A Discussion with UNEP FI Head Eric Usher

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Michael Torrance is joined by Eric Usher, who heads of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to discuss the Principles for Responsible Banking, the impacts of climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy. For a transcript of this episode please visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders

The Evolution of ESG in Mining

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Dan Barclay is joined by Tom Butler, CEO for the International Council on Mining and Metals in a discussion on how ESG policy has evolved in the metals and mining space and how mining stepped up during the pandemic. Hear also about how the industry’s views and approaches to the issues like Climate Change, Water Stewardship and Biodiversity have radically changed over recent years, moving from “nice-to-have” policies to frameworks that are essential to miners’ license to operate and access to capital.

Partnership for a Net Zero World

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 21:29:29 -0000

On the next episode of Sustainability Leaders, Darryl White, CEO, BMO Financial Group, leads a discussion with BMO experts and special guests Sean Cleary, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Finance Queen’s University and Eric Usher, Head, UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative, on BMO’s climate ambition and on the role of financial institutions in achieving a net zero world. Visit bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast for a transcript of this episode.

EMpowering an Inclusive Economic Recovery

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 20:00:00 -0000

Sustainability Leaders’ special guest host Eric Smith, Vice-Chair of BMO Harris Bank is joined by Shelley Stewart III, a Partner at McKinsey & Company and one of the leaders of their Institute for Black Economic Mobility, and Andrea Zopp, a Managing Partner at Cleveland Avenue, a venture fund that fosters growth in the food, beverage and restaurant industries. Andrea previously served as CEO and President of both the Chicago Urban League and World Business Chicago. A transcript of this episode is available at bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Building Empowerment Through a Racial and Gender Equity Lens

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 15:34:00 -0000

To celebrate Black History Month and International Women’s Day and in keeping with our commitment to building a society with zero barriers to inclusion, we invite you to listen to this special episode of Sustainability Leaders featuring the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Canada’s 27th Governor General, and the first Haitian-Canadian to hold the office, and a panel of BMO executives including Darryl White, CEO, BMO Financial Group. The event, Building Empowerment Through a Racial and Gender Equity Lens, is moderated by Deland Kamanga, Head, Global Markets, BMO Capital Markets and focuses on intersectionality and empowerment. A transcript is available at bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders-podcast.

Valuing Natural Capital – A Discussion with Pavan Sukhdev

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Michael Torrance speaks with Pavan Sukhdev, an internationally recognized authority on the integration of sustainability impact and natural, human and social capital into accounting and disclosure for the private sector. They discuss how natural capital is defined, different disclosure frameworks, and how companies should approach this subject.

Supplier Diversity for Economic Empowerment

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Michael Torrance talks to Eric Smith, Vice-Chair, BMO Harris Bank, and Christine Canning, Managing Director of Supplier Relationship Management at BMO, about the importance and benefits of sourcing from minority-owned businesses. They’ll offer tips on how businesses can create a successful framework for sourcing from minority-owned firms, who should be at the table when you’re developing a strategy and how to measure success. For a transcript of this episode you can visit bmo.com/SustainabilityLeaders.

What 20 Years of ESG Engagement Can Teach Us About the Future

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0000

BMO Global Asset Management’s Responsible Investing team celebrated there 20th year of investor engagement in 2020. In that time, corporate engagement on ESG issues has gone from niche to relatively mainstream, but there is still much work to do help companies align their bottom lines with positive ESG changes in their business.

Jonathan Hackett is joined by Vicki Bakhshi, a Director in BMO GAM’s Responsible Investing team, to discuss the sea change that has taken place during the last 20 years of investor engagement. Plus, Vicki discusses what the team believes the next ten years will bring as engagement on ESG topics broadens to more companies in more countries than ever before.

Bloomberg: Enhancing ESG Disclosure through Data-Driven Solutions

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Bloomberg recently hosted its third annual Sustainable Finance Week with BMO as a presenting sponsor

for the second consecutive year. Bloomberg Sustainable Finance Week brings together corporations,

clients and thought leaders for a discussion on sustainable finance, focusing on ideas and innovations

that drive environmental and social improvement on a global scale. Bloomberg brings together a

number of sustainable finance solutions, offering data-driven insights to help investors integrate ESG

throughout the full investment process. This includes ESG solutions that combine and standardize

company-reported and third-party data, including ESG scoring, access to news and research and

analytics built specifically for investors.

BMO’s John Uhren is joined by Patricia Torres, Global Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at

Bloomberg, in a discussion on its efforts to enhance ESG disclosure and transparency.

Preventing the Antimicrobial Resistance Health Crisis

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0000

November 18 marked the start of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020, which aims to bring attention to the ever-evolving public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics around the world.

Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance, and James Anderson, Head of Corporate Government Affairs at GlaxoSmithKline, who leads the company’s advocacy on AMR, joins the podcast to discuss how antibiotic use in humans, livestock and plants is fueling AMR today. Plus, they provide an overview of engagement in this space to encourage responsible antibiotic use globally.

Canadian Energy & Innovation: Part 2

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0000

In the second episode of our two part series Canadian Energy and Innovation, Jonathan Hackett takes us through two case studies of companies that have found ways to innovate to directly address the problem of greenhouse gas. First he is joined by Steve Oldham, CEO of Carbon Engineering, a Canadian company that has developed a technology for Direct Air Capture of carbon dioxide. The later in the episode he speaks with Kevin Jabusch, President and CEO of Enhance Energy, about how his company uses the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line to create a business model around Carbon Mitigation and their plans for the future of this industry. Full transcript available at bmo.com/Sustainabilityleaders-podcast

Achieving Sustainability In The Food Production System

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0000

Around the world, livestock is responsible for more gas emissions than every car, airplane and train put together. What changes can be made to the food production system to support an ever-growing population while also mitigating impacts on our environment?

David Sneyd is joined by Jo Raven from FAIRR Initiative to discuss the progress that is already underway to create a more sustainable system, including the rise of alternative, plant-based proteins in the food supply chain.

Canadian Energy and Innovation: Part 1

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0000

The Canadian energy sector is a leading source of sustainable energy and innovation that will make Canada a leader in the decades to come. It is subject to some of the world’s highest environmental and social regulatory requirements, building on Canada’s strong governance approach to these topics. In order to meet international climate goals and raise standards of living, the energy sector requires innovation.

On today’s podcast, Michael Torrance speaks with three different guests to talk about innovation and leadership in the Canadian energy sector. First, Chris Slubicki, President and CEO of Modern Resources - a Western Canadian oil and gas producer, talks about how Canada is a global leader in sustainable energy and energy production. Then Ray Kwan, an Oil & Gas Analyst with BMO Capital Markets Equity Research, talks about the innovative process of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and how CCUS works. Finally, Jeff Pearson, the President of the Carbon Business Unit at Wolf Midstream - the company developing The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line, talks about how Wolf Midstream has used the innovative process of CCUS in developing the Alberta Trunk Line project.

International Children's Rights

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:00:00 -0000

On this episode, Michael Torrance speaks with report co-author, Tytti Kaasinen Associate Director, Engagement Services at Sustainalytics and Simon Chorley, International Programs Manager at UNICEF Canada.

In 2019, UNICEF and Sustainalytics partnered to develop Investor Guidance on Integrating Children’s Rights into Investment Decision Making. The resulting guidance is directed at investors and ESG research providers interested in exploring how companies and investors can mitigate risks and identify opportunities that advance children’s rights while generating both societal and upside financial benefits. It aims to help investors ensure that child rights impacts linked to business activities do not constitute a blind spot within their approach to responsible investment and active ownership.

For full transcript and links, go to http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com/.

The Positive Impact Initiative

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:00:00 -0000

On this show, Whitney McWade, a Senior Advisor in a Sustainability Group at BMO, talks with Careen Abb from the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative.

Careen leads the Positive Impact Initiative (PII), which is a think and do tank at the United Nations. The PII aims to capitalize the finance sector’s ability to finance sustainable development and the transition to an impact-based economy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the PII, Careen has co-authored “Rethinking Impact to Finance the SDGs”, a seminal paper which sets out the PII’s unique theory of impact. She led the development of the principles for the positive impact finance, which proposed a holistic approach to impact management. Careen talks about this holistic approach, the PII’s theory of impact, and how it can influence the financial sector.

For full transcript and links, go to http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com/.

Physical Climate Risks

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0000

Today’s guest, Dr. Mekala Krishnan, is one of the author’s of the Mckinsey Global Institute’s ground-breaking report, “Climate risk and response - Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts”. Dr. Krishnan’s research focuses on various topics related to inclusive growth and economic development, including climate risk, globalization, productivity growth in advanced economies, and women’s role in labor markets. Her most recent research focuses on the near-term impact of physical climate risk across sectors and geographies, including its implications for companies and countries.

In this episode, Dr. Krishnan talks with Michael Torrance about how physical climate risks can impact economies, and financial and social systems. She also talks about the physical climate risks that could influence investors, businesses and governments in the next 10-30 years.

Just Transition

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0000

The Paris Agreement target to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is widely discussed, but there is also a less cited part of the Agreement - the Preamble, which mentions that the transition to a net zero carbon economy should be a just one. Underpinning the concept of a just transition is the inclusive wealth model. On today’s episode, special guest host Rani Pooran will take the listener through conversations with two leading thinkers, William Irwin, Policy Analyst, The Grantham Research Institute at the time of recording Steven Stone, Chief of the UN Environment Programme’s Resources and Markets Branch on why investing in a just transition is critical to achieving the economic potential and managing the social impacts of the net zero carbon challenge, and how measuring dimensions such as human and natural capital can further countries’ progress.

Principles for Impact Investing

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0000

Our guest on this episode is Diane Damskey, Head of the Secretariat of the IFC’s Operating Principles for Impact Management. Diane is a senior member of the team that developed the Operating Principles for Impact Management that established a framework to bring greater discipline and transparency to the impact investing market. Prior to joining IFC, Diane was an Adviser to the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group.

Michael Torrance leads a conversation with Diane on today’s episode about the differences between impact investing and traditional investing, and how impact investing fits into the broader sustainability ecosystem.

ESG in times of Pandemic – The Case of Sobeys

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0000

The fight against COVID-19 has seen border closures, trade disruptions and restrictions on foreign workers, putting unprecedented strain on the food supply chain, including in Canada, where we hear stories of dairy farmers dumping milk as restaurants closed and demand plummeted; restrictions on temporary foreign workers have dramatically impacted the production of everything from strawberries to seafood.

John Uhren, Head, Sustainable Finance, Products and Strategy for Sustainable Finance at BMO, recently recorded an episode of Sustainability Leaders with Vittoria Varalli, Chief of Staff and VP for Sustainability at Canadian grocery chain Sobeys to discuss how COVID19 has disrupted food security and supply chains around the world. Varalli also discusses how here at home, even as the pandemic intensified the importance of essential services, Sobeys’ unwavering focus was on keeping its staff and customers safe and its store shelves stocked.

Covid-19 Implications and ESG Funds with Jon Hale

Tue, 26 May 2020 15:29:00 -0000

In this episode we are joined by Jon Hale, Head of Sustainable Investing Research for Morningstar in a discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted ESG funds, and how Morningstar goes about assessing and examining this type of investing.

Unearthing and executing purpose

Wed, 20 May 2020 17:55:00 -0000

Our episode today focuses on a company’s purpose and why it matters for sustainability. A company’s purpose matters now more than ever, and social purpose and social impacts have taken a front seat these days as COVID-19 changes the landscape for all economies.

Our guests today are experts in creating purpose statements and leading companies on the journey to find their purpose. Cathy Carlisi, President-America, Ashley Grice, CEO, are with BrightHouse, part of the Boston Consulting Group. They've helped many companies, including BMO, to develop a purpose strategy and drive it towards sustainability outcomes. They discuss what a discovery process for purpose looks like, how culture, business strategy and brand alignment are needed for executing purpose well and who should be involved. We also discuss how purpose and ESG are linked and how getting uncomfortable is necessary to discover purpose.

Sustainability Outlook - May 6

Wed, 06 May 2020 06:00:00 -0000

Michael Torrance moderates a round table discussion with BMO sustainability experts Manju Seal and David Sneyd to discuss the role that sustainable finance can play in our current environment.

Integrating ESG practices in mining

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0000

Investors and other stakeholders are demanding tools to better measure the sustainability and performance of the mining industry. On this episode, guest host Dan Barclay, CEO, BMO Capital Markets is joined by Tom Butler, CEO, International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), in a discussion about how the industry is increasing transparency to make it easier for investors and other stakeholders to quantify ESG efforts and results.

For full transcript and links, go to http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com/.

Intersecting biodiversity and economic development

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Biodiversity is the natural variety of species and ecosystem services that we – and our economies – all depend on. But leading international researchers are concluding that biodiversity is being lost at a rate that is unprecedented in human history. Our first guest is Professor Kai Chan, from the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Kai is one of the coordinating lead authors of the IPBES Global Assessment Report and shares some of its key conclusions, and what the implications are for businesses – both in terms of their impacts on biodiversity, and their dependence on it.

Later, we’ll hear from Katie Leach from the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Center and Chris Hart from Global Canopy. Katie and Chris discuss their collaboration on ENCORE, a tool which helps businesses and financial institutions understand their own dependencies on nature and how to look at natural capital risks.

For full transcript and links, go to http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com/.

Green Finance in China

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 07:00:00 -0000

China’s enormous growth and development in the last 25 years have presented significant challenges to environmental sustainability. Sustainable finance and the green bond market has emerged as a key pillar of China’s green strategy. There is an estimated $1 trillion annually needed to meet China’s environmental goals and government investment only covers about 15% of that amount. Private sector initiatives will be key to China’s environmental strategy and is driving innovation.

On this episode we’re joined by Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute. Deborah advises Hank Paulson, Chairman of the Paulson Institute, on US-China relations and manages the institute’s green finance center. We are also joined by Dan Krieter, who you may remember from our first episode. Dan is a Director in the BMO Capital Markets Fixed Income Strategy Group. He has a special interest and focus on sustainable, fixed income investments and leads the group’s research in the green bonds space.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com.

Sustainable Finance is the new normal

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 17:00:00 -0000

Today, we bring you a special episode as part of our partnership with Bloomberg for Sustainable Finance Week - a collection of events around this topic in New York City and Toronto, happening the first week of December. Our guest is Lee Ballin, the Head of Business Development for Sustainability at BloombergNEF - Bloomberg’s primary research group focused on industry-transforming trends and technologies driving a cleaner, more competitive future.

Lee and Michael Torrance discuss the collaboration between Bloomberg and partners coming together for Sustainable Finance Week, why mainstreaming of sustainable finance will be at the heart of discussions, and where the future of sustainable finance is going.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://www.bmosustainabilityleaders.com.

The power of collaboration in ESG investing

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to take an inside look at responsible investment, with our friends at BMO Global Asset Management in the UK. Our first guest is Sustainability Leaders host, David Sneyd, Vice President, Analyst, Responsible Investment at BMO GAM. David talks about how a responsible investment team works, and how they engage with their investments. Later in the episode, David will host a conversation with James Coldwell from ShareAction, an NGO in the UK that collaborates with David’s team on a number of ESG issues including the Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) which promotes better labour standards through investment engagement.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders

Pricing Climate Risk with Bob Litterman

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:00:00 -0000

Today, our guest is Dr. Bob Litterman. An economist, Bob is considered one of the leading authorities on risk management and quantitative trading on Wall Street. He has been studying climate change for a decade, and today he shares not only his insights from managing firm-wide risk but how it applies to climate risk. As a board member of Climate Leadership Council, he breaks down the Baker-Shultz Carbon Dividend Plan, which is now supported by over 3,500 economists, and explains why pricing carbon is imperative for informed decision-making.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://bmo.com/sustainabilityleaders

World Bank: Mobilizing Capital Markets for Sustainable Finance

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 06:00:00 -0000

One of the world’s largest supranational issuers, with 189 member countries, the World Bank has “established ambitious, but achievable goals to galvanize international and national efforts to end extreme poverty globally within a generation and to promote shared prosperity.” Our guest is Heike Reichelt, the Head of Investor Relations and New Products at the World Bank. We’ll learn about the World Bank’s funding programs, their influential work in sustainable development and how they mobilize capital markets to reduce social inequality and support UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).