Canadians Are Concerned About Climate Change, Yet Demonstrate Low Awareness and Low Hope For Action

Toronto, ON, April 22, 2022 –   In a new global survey of 23,577 adults aged 16 – 74 in 31 countries, Ipsos found that climate change is a regular concern for half of the people across a global average. Looking at Canada specifically, in contrast, climate change is a regular concern for fewer Canadians than citizens of most other countries (34% worry a great deal/a fair amount vs. 48% global country average). Yet, despite not being the top worry for the Canadian public, concerns about climate change remain.

Canadians are concerned about the impacts of climate change at home and abroad. Yet, there is a lack of faith that the country has the necessary plans in place and will make significant progress in tackling climate change in this next decisive decade. Only 30% of Canadians are aware of the government’s plan to tackle climate change, placing Canada in the bottom five in the list of 30 countries surveyed.  Relatively few said that they had heard of COP26, and of those who were aware, only a minority said they had heard about the commitments that countries had made.

Overall, Canadians are more pessimistic than optimistic about whether their country – or other countries around the world – will make significant progress on mitigating climate change in the next ten years. In addition, when it comes to taking individual action to combat climate change, little progress has been made and there is still confusion about which actions make the most impact in tackling climate change.

Lack of awareness among the general Canadian public and lack of trust in action will likely continue to hamper any significant progress on this front, pointing to a need for greater knowledge and capacity building. While Canadians believe in a shared responsibility among government, businesses and individuals to tackle climate change, they place more emphasis on government and business’ responsibility to lead the charge. Some business sectors are seen as having greater responsibility for reducing their contribution to climate change – particularly energy companies, car manufacturers, airlines and public transport providers.

To find out more about what Canadians have to say about Climate change, please click on the attached detailed report or contact us below.  

About the Study

These are the findings of the Global Advisor wave 167 (GA 167) an Ipsos survey conducted between February 18 and March 4, 2022.

The survey instrument is conducted monthly in 31 countries around the world via the Ipsos Online Panel system. The countries reporting herein are  Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, mainland China, Chile, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America.

For the results of the survey presented herein, an international sample of 23, 577 adults aged 18-74 in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, aged 16-99 in Norway and age 16-74 in all other countries, were interviewed. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country-by-country basis via the Ipsos Online Panel with the exception of Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey, where each have a sample of approximately 500+. The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 5.0 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.

18 of the 31 countries surveyed online generate nationally representative samples in their countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United States).

The samples in Brazil, Chile, mainland China, Colombia, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey are more urban & educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. They are not nationally representative of their country. The survey results for these countries should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of their population.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sanyam Sethi
Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
[email protected]

Chris Martyn

Chief Research Officer, Ipsos Public Affairs

[email protected]

Mike Colledge

President, Ipsos Public Affairs

[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP

www.ipsos.com