How Trusted Leaders Can Impact Climate Change

AS CANADA CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE with pandemic fatigue, political divisions and associated public frustration, the risks of climate change are lurking in the wings. United Nations research shows that the world is unprepared for the effects of climate change. This challenge brings two dimensions: Finding a consensus on ways to reduce carbon; and planning for the effects of the extreme weather changes already unleashed.

To help Canada cope with the effects of climate change, Ottawa policymakers recently released the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Available online, the report shows the federal government recognizes that work is needed to adapt and build resilience to our changing climate. The question is: Does anyone trust them to do it?

In a recent article for Policy Options, Proof Strategies CEO Bruce Maclellan and I looked at the results of Proof ’s 2022 Cantrust Index in an effort to provide some principles and guidance for moving forward with Canada’s climate strategy. The Cantrust Index surveyed 1,536 Canadians between January 4 and 16, and above all else, it shows just how damaging the pandemic has been to Canadians’ trust in their government. The survey places trust at an all-time low: Only 22 per cent of Canadians said they trust their government ‘to do what is right for Canada’ — a 10-point drop from 2021; and when asked about sources of reliable information, trust in politicians came in at a measly18 per cent.

In an age where leadership and truth appear to have decoupled, the vast majority of Canadians do still trust science and facts. The Index showed that the three most trusted sources of ‘reliable information’ were doctors (at 78 per cent,) scientists (at 75 per cent) and family members (at 65 per cent.)

Frustration and inconsistent decision-making from the top-down has weakened trust in our political leaders far more than it has in our scientific and medical advisors. Almost half of Canadians, at 46 per cent, reported they continue to feel anxiety and stress from the pandemic, and as COVID-19 recedes, we are seeing a ‘mistrust variant’ proliferating.

If the public’s trust in government’s handling of the COVID crisis is any indication, leaders are tackling the climate crisis from very shaky footing. Why does trust matter? There are many reasons, including the fact that good public policy should always inspire confidence. In addition, Canada is vast and complex, and implementing a climate adaptation policy will require partnerships. Political leaders need

to focus on more collaboration and less confrontation. The hyper-partisan age is corrosive to trust.

To fight climate change and meet the promises outlined by the federal government, decision-makers must look to trusted sources to develop policy and share their message. But what does a trustworthy climate adaptation strategy look like?

An important clue is that scientists and doctors remain our most trusted voices in Canada, despite the fatigue and frustration of the pandemic. Nationally, Proof Strategies finds 69 per cent of people trust scientists to provide reliable information on climate change. However, a lesson of the pandemic is that science can’t do it alone, because it is non-linear, constantly evolving and not always concerned with practical implications. This means that the ‘truth’ (to the extent there is one) is messy. That’s part of the reason why trust is so important for addressing climate change. Practical implications are not straightforward, and different stakeholders have different views on the issue. That’s why we need a new coalition.

Canada needs unelected experts who are on the front lines of the climate crisis to bring fact-based recommendations to the table, and we need our politicians to listen to them. Instead of politicizing the crisis—which achieves nothing — our elected leaders need to also look to those who have been fighting natural disasters for years and are trusted to respond effectively.

Proof Strategies also found a high level of trust in important quarters relevant to managing the impact of climate change: When a community or region in Canada is hit by natural disasters such as floods or fire, 61 per cent trust the Canadian military to provide a meaningful response and support. Local community not-for-profit groups were next at 57 per cent, and national charities were trusted by 56 per cent. When a climate crisis hits, Canadians are more trusting of those on the front lines: the first responders. These unelected bodies need to be consulted and their stories told for effective policy to be implemented.

Based on Proof ’s research, Bruce and I have put forward the following principles for boosting trust in Ottawa’s climate adaptation strategy.

• Scientists and doctors have the highest level of trust for

defining the problems and solutions, and in preparing for the adverse health impact of events such as extreme heat.

• By announcing a joint committee to combat extreme weather events in British Columbia, the Trudeau government has taken an important step to combating climate change in the region. However, the Canadian military needs to be equipped across the country for the crisis relief work that will be needed. Our soldiers are trained for many specific missions, and climate disasters should be acknowledged as an additional role.

• We must engage and involve the not-for-profit and charitable sectors, nationally and locally. Groups such as the Canadian Red Cross bring resources and skills as well as a high level of trust.

• Indigenous leaders must also be involved, because their communities are often ground zero for fires, floods and other extreme weather. Reconciliation takes many forms, including engagement on health and safety issues.

• Business leaders should play a role to inject the innovation and imagination of the private sector. Proof ’s research finds that a sizeable majority of Canadians want business leaders to be more vocal on social and climate issues.

In closing

The time has come for Ottawa to assemble a coalition of the trusted. Without public trust in government and other institutions, science cannot do the heavy lifting to address climate change. Research shows that trust is based on three things: ability, empathy and integrity. These virtues can be assembled when you build the right team. Canadians can be a trusting people; they just need to see the right team coming over the hill.

Bill Mcevily is the Jim Fisher Professor of Leadership Development and Professor of Strategic Management at the Rotman School of Management. Bruce Maclellan is President and CEO of Proof Strategies and a former chief of staff to the Minister of National Defence. Their Trust Matters Toolkit is available online. This article has been adapted from their recent article in Policy Options, the digital magazine of the Institute for Research on Public Policy.