Last month, the government revealed the "Cabinet Committee on Climate Action has had 177 presentations from scientists, public servants, environmental organizations, academics and industry sectors." And now it looks like your elected representatives finally want to find out what everyday British Columbians think about the global warming problem. Today, the Campbell administration's secretive climate action secretariat announced it would be undertaking research "better understand how British Columbians think about climate change to support the development and successful implementation of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C." This, according to document posted on BC Bid looking for a contractor to conduct that research, which must be completed by December 15. The following is a copy of the relevant portions of that document.

1.0 Summary of the Requirement

The Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) wishes to undertake research in support of the province’s greenhouse gas reduction objectives, including a BC-wide public outreach and strategic engagement strategy. The strategy’s goals are to:

* Support achievement of 2012, 2016 and 2020 greenhouse gas targets
* Encourage a personal conservation ethic
* Increase support for effective policies and collective and individual action
* Facilitate long-term, sustained and effective behaviour change

The requirement is to conduct qualitative and quantitative public opinion research on policies related to climate change. CAS seeks to better understand how British Columbians think about climate change to support the development and successful implementation of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. As part of this research initiative, proponents should be capable of:

* undertaking province-wide qualitative and quantitative research;
* targeting priority population segments; and
* demonstrating a proven track record in qualitative and quantitative research.

1.1 Qualitative Opinion Research

Qualitative Opinion Research includes, but may not be limited to:
a. The development of a research plan, with timelines and a work plan;
b. Recruitment of participants;
c. Preparation of a moderators guide;
d. Development of the questionnaires;
e. Facilitation of focus groups throughout the Province;
f. Provision of video tapes of the focus groups;
g. The development of longitudinal studies that measure a given set of indicators across time; and
h. Draft reports, including cross tabulations, statistical and written analysis, summary tables, graphs, interpretative commentary, preliminary conclusions and recommendations, and presentation of findings.

1.2 Quantitative Opinion Research

Quantitative Opinion Research Services include, but may not be limited to:

a. The development of a research plan, with timelines and a work plan;
b. Sampling participants throughout the Province;
c. Development of the questionnaire;
d. The development of longitudinal studies that measure a given set of indicators across time;
e. Draft reports, including cross tabulations, statistical and written analysis, summary tables, graphs, interpretative commentary, preliminary conclusions and recommendations, and presentation of findings; and
f. Provision of electronic copy of data sets (with identifiers removed) in a format to be agreed in advance and with appropriate documentation.

1.3 Evaluation Methodology

For both Qualitative Opinion Research and Quantitative Opinion Research, Proponents should have appropriate research design methodologies that are specific to the scope of work described in section 3.0 and that address:

a. Development;
b. Testing;
c. How the Proponent structures its samples to get a clear read on those sub-sets of interest;
d. Statistical methodologies; and
e. Reporting and presentations.

With respect to Quantitative Opinion Research, Proponents should also have procedures that address follow-up and tracking methodologies.

2.0 Ministry Situation/Overview

The B.C. government has committed to reducing the Province’s greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent (from 2007 levels) by 2020. This is an ambitious target, supported by a series of climate change initiatives now underway or in development. Making these initiatives work will require the effort of all British Columbians. To coordinate and support these efforts, the Province has established a Climate Action Secretariat.

The Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) is the provincial agency coordinating activities to meet the B.C. government’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Specifically, CAS:

* coordinates and facilitates best practices research and policy on climate action across government ministries
* establishes consultation processes with First Nations, local governments, other governments, industries, environmental organizations and the scientific community
* assesses incentives and other fiscal and financial mechanisms to lead and drive the change envisioned
* identifies actions to achieve government greenhouse gas emission reduction targets
* recommends the allocation of federal EcoTrust funding to support British Columbia projects that will significantly reduce GHG emissions
* leads and coordinates the carbon neutral public sector initiative
* coordinates development of a public outreach and strategic engagement program to mobilize citizens and partners
* develops necessary adaptation strategies and procedures for the province.

3.0 Project Scope

This research will support development of a range of policy, program, public outreach and strategic engagement recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action. Research outcomes will help to inform public education and outreach approaches that would be included in a public outreach and strategic engagement strategy in support of government’s climate action strategies.

Specifically, the research will evaluate a range of options that may include:

* policy options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
* options for removing barriers to targeted behaviours
* proposed models for explaining the human causes of global warming
* understanding of the links between global warming and fossil fuel emissions
* solutions, particularly related to transportation and homes

4.0 Requirement

Project must be completed by December 15, 2007.