What is the time commitment?

We estimate that completing the questionnaire for one community will take about 5-10 hrs of research. There are also additional opportunities to expand on that, for example by collecting for more than one community.

Do volunteers collect data for the community where they live?

Yes, we encourage all volunteers to collect data for the community where you live! However, if someone has already signed up to collect for your community, or if you would prefer to collect for somewhere else, then you are welcome to work on a different community.

Participate in our citizen-led assessment on climate-ready cities and towns!

Our two volunteer training sessions are now complete, but it is not too late to participate! Sign up to receive more information about the NCL and to get involved.

Sign up here!

What is the National Climate League?

We work with volunteers across the country to collect policies, quantitative data, and case studies tracking municipal action on climate, health, wellbeing and the environment. Together, we compile this data into a nation-wide assessment of the state of local climate action.

Illustration by Raymond Biesinger

Why should I participate?

There are many reasons why you might be interested in participating! Here are a few:

Local Climate Action

Plans and Policies

Community Stories

Tool for Local Decision-Making

Learn more about what climate action looks like at the local level and how it connects to housing, affordability, transportation, green space, and more

Track what plans and policies your city has in place when it comes to building green and equitable communities, and whether it is following through

Learn about inspiring stories and examples of what is happening in other communities across Canada

Contribute to building a tool developed by citizens, for citizens! By equipping people with useful, easy to interpret data, the survey will aid citizens’ participation in local decision-making

Frequently asked questions

Anyone can volunteer! No prior knowledge is required. Comfort navigating the internet and reading reports is important, as well as willingness to engage with municipal councilors and staff (with our guidance and support 😊). In part years, some people have volunteered as part of their involvement in another climate or climate-adjacent organization, whether NGO or grassroots. While others are coming to the project as individuals looking to make a difference!

What does the process look like?

01

Online Training

The project kicks off with an online training on November 9th or 14th. The training will consist of an introduction to municipal governance and local climate action, followed by an orientation to the survey questions, and how to collect relevant data.

02

Data Collection

Much of the data can be collected through web-based research, and looking through municipal plans, reports, and online datasets. Volunteers also reach out to city officials, requesting them to fill in gaps and confirm accuracy.

The data collection period is open until the end of February, 2024.

03

Final Report

The volunteer-collected data will be presented in a final report by Climate Reality Project Canada in June, 2024.

Timeline

October-November

Volunteer recruitment

February 9

Deadline to send data to officials

November 9 or 14

Volunteer training

February 29

Deadline for officials to confirm

November-February

Data collection period

March-May

Analysis, writing, and design

January 11

Check-in

June

Launch of the survey results and report!

Testimonies from Past Volunteers

Claire Buchanan_VolHighlight_2022NCL.JPG

"What I found fascinating was the citizen-based research aspect of this whole report. It was neat to see the 57 cities participate and how the actions of a group of volunteers can contribute so much information to a community-based report. It just goes to show that a small group of people can make a difference!"