As Canada works to rapidly expand renewable energy and electricity infrastructure, building community support is increasingly critical. While Canadians broadly support the transition to clean energy, support can shift when specific projects are proposed in their communities. Re.Climate’s Getting to Yes report explores what drives this difference, and what project proponents, communities, policymakers, and others can do about it.
Join us for a webinar exploring the research behind Getting to Yes: What It Really Takes to Build Social Acceptance of Wind and Transmission Projects.
The session will examine how perceptions of procedural and distributional fairness, trust, tangible benefits, and meaningful community engagement influence support for renewable energy and transmission projects. The research also highlights the importance of understanding local history and context, communicating clearly about the need for the energy transition, and addressing misinformation.
Participants will explore:
- What drives community acceptance of renewable energy projects
- Why fairness and trust matter—and how they can be built
- How community benefits can help ensure projects deliver meaningful local value
- Approaches to early, transparent, and ongoing engagement
- How to communicate about renewable energy in ways that resonate with communities
- Practical lessons for co-ops, developers, municipalities, policymakers, and community organizations
The session will translate research into practical insights for those working to advance community-supported renewable energy across Canada.
Who should attend: Renewable energy co-operatives, community energy organizations, project developers, municipalities, policymakers, Indigenous communities and organizations, communications and engagement practitioners, and anyone working to build support for Canada’s clean energy transition.
The webinar draws on Re.Climate’s Getting to Yes research and accompanying practical guidebook, which provide role-specific approaches for building social acceptance of renewable energy and transmission projects.
About the Presenter
Dr. Louise Comeau is a Senior Advisor at Re.Climate, Carleton University’s centre for climate change communications and public engagement. Louise is passionate about advancing evidence-based solutions to climate change. She specializes in mixed-method research, with a focus on social acceptance of climate change policies and the energy transition, especially electrification. Louise has more than 30 years’ experience in climate change policy, communications, and solutions-related advocacy and programming. Louise holds a doctorate in environmental management, focused on environmental ethics and behaviour change from the University of New Brunswick.
September 16 – 11am PDT / 12pm MDT CST / 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT / 3pm ADT
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund Implementation Readiness stream
Ce projet est financé en partie par le volet Préparation à la mise en œuvre du Fonds pour une économie à faibles émissions de carbone du gouvernement du Canada.
