Which groups of Canadians not engaged in climate action currently, could be most receptive to messages on the topic?
How do Canadians balance benefits and trade-offs related to biodiversity protection?
How can cities mobilize local citizens in support of decarbonizing buildings and better public transportation?
Do Canadians understand the current costs of climate change?
Who do Canadians trust for information about climate change and its impacts?
How can environmental NGOs better support Indigenous reconciliation?
How can we use this research – it’s interesting, but so what?
These are the types of questions environmental communicators want answered. EcoA’s answers, the product of rigorous research and analysis, enable them and the environmental movement at large to respond to Canadians’ changing perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about climate change and biodiversity loss and engage them in support of solutions.
EcoA is more than just a powerful engine of research. Our experienced team and contract researchers offer products and services — webinars, briefings, newsletters, bespoke research, a trusted space for learning etc. — that help communicators make best use of the data, analysis and guidance.
Our approach
Since 2016, EcoAnalytics has conducted several national surveys and rounds of focus groups each year. As the climate and conservation communications landscape changes, EcoA continues to adapt its approach to meet changing needs. We work with a growing range of environmental NGOs as well as with local and provincial governments, and, when appropriate, do local and customized research projects. This includes projects for non-members (fee-for-service contracts) that align with our theory of change and support our members’ work. We are also broadening our market research tools with audience segmentation tools (based on values and behaviour research), and social media testing that uses AI.
We also share all of our research and guidance freely online, helping communicators across Canada learn from our research and apply our evidence-based guidance.
Our process
EcoA members, researchers and in some cases, other collaborators, work together to develop each survey or focus group discussion guide based on the needs of participating organizations and the environmental movement in general. Our university-based researchers, or private research firms, then field the research, analyze the results and summarize the findings in reports and webinars tailored for member groups and other project participants. We provide communications guidance informed by our research and often team-up with Re.Climate and The Sustainability Network to reach as many communicators as possible. We also share our research results and analysis freely through our website, for the benefit of the environmental movement.
Our products and services
All of EcoA’s communication products are freely available, and can be downloaded from the database on our website: reports, briefings, webinar recordings, tailored research summaries, articles and newsletters.
You can also join our mail-list, and receive publications and invitations to our public Opinionation webinars.
EcoA’s guidance includes:
Tips newsletter: This regular publication draws on the latest EcoAnalytics research to provide brief, practical communications guidance.
Research Nutshells: Concise summaries of findings by EcoAnalytics and others on relevant topics with links to sources and guidance on applying the research in campaigns.
Webinar recordings and reports: Each round of research is followed by a report and presentation.
Opinionation webinars: Presentations on widely relevant research by EcoA and others from Canada and abroad.
Energy Mix articles: Articles and infographics featuring EcoA data and guidance published in this digest of news and opinion about climate action and energy issues.
Tailored research summaries: Briefs developed for Member groups as requested on specific topics: e.g. demographic segments, opinion trends, etc.Notes from the field: Quick summaries on how organizations are applying EcoA research on the ground, with success.
Other services
Inclusive survey development process: Members work closely with EcoA staff and researchers to learn how to get the most out of upcoming survey questionnaires, and gather the data they need most.
Access to researchers: EcoA researchers provide individual guidance and insights into the research development process and results analysis.
Knowledge translation support: EcoA’s communications specialists provide one-on-one support for member organizations, helping to integrate fresh research findings into their communications products and strategies.
Fee for Service research: We also work with members and other agencies to provide valuable research and guidance on specific topics.
Recent research
Check out our database for our reports, tabulated results and evidence-based communications guidance.
Aligning ENGO financial practices with Indigenous-led conservation
EcoA worked with the Restore Assert Defend (RAD)Network, Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Environics Research on this sensitive study of the financial practices of Canadian ENGOs with respect to relationships with Indigenous partners. Emerging trends and opportunities were identified through three phases: a reflexive survey, a focus group and a learning event. The report describes the context for this research, and presents findings, along with a literature review. As well it includes an assessment-and-reflection tool for organizations striving to align their financial practices with commitments to reconciliation.
Clean Cities Research Report
Canadian cities are more than ever on the front lines of efforts to address climate change, and the transition to a clean economy, Canada faces a trade war with a US administration opposed to most climate action and public debate about climate solutions is marred by mis- and disinformation. In response, EcoA’s two-year, Clean Cities Research (CCR) Project aims to help cities mobilize public support around good climate policies. Specifically, the project supports targeted studies and evidence-based guidance for cities and municipalities in BC and ON, and diverse allies, to build mandates for thorny, tippable, transformative policies that address climate change, improve the lives of thousands and clear barriers for businesses to accelerate the transition to a clean economy. Informed and driven by influential actors — city administrators, advocates for low-carbon cities, NGOs and others — the CCR project focuses on building performance, while touching on other transformative climate issues.
Phase One City Stakeholder Interviews Report (re.Climate)
CA-Map National Segmentation Survey
EcoA’s largest national survey digs into the different social and political values of Canadians related to climate change, identifying five population segments with distinct worldviews and behaviour. The survey results were analyzed in three ways. First, identifying the national segments, the characteristics and personas of those found in each of them: their social, political, and climate values, preferences and trusted messengers. The second analysis revealed how each of the segments varied across six regions: BC, AB, SK/MB, ON, QC and the Atlantic provinces. The third analyzed the largest population segment, the Disengaged middle. Re.Climate built on this seminal research, with 13 focus groups, allowing them to test climate frames, messages and messengers for each segment. You can find their reports on this work here.