Michael Torrance

Michael Torrance is the vice president and chief sustainability officer at BMO Financial Group, where he leads the bank’s sustainability strategy, governance, and innovation initiatives. Known for his expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, Torrance founded and oversees the BMO Climate Institute, which connects climate science and policy with business strategy. His responsibilities include sustainability-related disclosure, ESG-focused investor relations, environmental and social risk management, and sustainable finance, supporting BMO’s role in responsible banking and climate action.

Before joining BMO, Torrance was a partner at an international law firm, where he established a global advisory practice on environmental and social risk. He has contributed to texts on international sustainability standards, including the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards, and has served on the steering committees of several global sustainability initiatives. Torrance is also the founder and host of the "BMO Sustainability Leaders" podcast, where he discusses sustainability in finance and business with industry leaders.

Torrance has spoken at conferences such as the Milken Institute Global Conference and IBM THINK, sharing insights on operationalizing sustainability and business opportunities in climate transition. His work has been recognized with awards such as the Big Ideas Bold Leaders Award, and he is frequently quoted in media for his perspectives on sustainability, ESG, and sustainable finance.