Canada’s Natural Advantage: A Path to Economic Prosperity and Climate Leadership
October 16, 2025
New research shows Canadians see nature as a powerful economic asset – and they’re ready to support action.
Every year, conversations about Canada’s economic future tend to circle around the same themes: innovation, technology, and global competitiveness. But in times defined by uncertainty – from economic instability and rising costs of living to political turbulence and technological disruption – many Canadians are turning to something more familiar as a source of strength: nature.
Our latest research reveals a powerful story hiding in plain sight: Canadians overwhelmingly agree that nature is not just worth protecting, it’s one of our greatest economic advantages.
Balancing two priorities
Canadians today are juggling two major concerns. A strong majority, 83%, believe climate change is happening and that governments should act. At the same time, 79% express high degree of concern about the state of the economy.
Our data shows that these two ideas aren’t thought of as necessarily distinct. There is near-universal recognition among Canadians that nature is central to Canada’s economic future:
- 91% agree nature is one of Canada’s most valuable economic assets.
- 90% agree nature is a powerful resource for building a sustainable, proudly Canadian economy.
- 87% believe investing in nature can secure Canada’s long-term resilience and independence.
- And 93% say it’s important for Canada to position nature as a key economic asset.
These are views that cut across party lines and regions, pointing to a shared belief that nature isn’t a nice-to-have thing, it’s a strategic advantage.
Enter nature-based solutions
At the intersection of both economic and environmental anxieties is the idea of nature-based solutions, an approach addressing both these interrelated concerns without forcing a choice between them.
Nature-based solutions are practical actions that use Canada’s forests, soils, wetlands, and waters to tackle environmental challenges while creating economic and community benefits. They include practices like reforestation, wetland restoration, sustainable farming, and urban greening – approaches that reduce climate risks, support healthy ecosystems, and strengthen local and Indigenous economies.
Even though only one in three Canadians were initially familiar with the term Nature-Based Solutions, once explained, 85% support pursuing them. About 8 in 10 support the federal government helping businesses transition their operations to adopt these approaches, and three in four (75%) support the federal government dedicating more of its existing investment portfolio to encourage private investment in nature-based solutions.
Nature as a defining economic opportunity
In a world where Canada is working to define its economic brand and open new markets, nature remains one of our strongest calling cards. It’s part of how the world already sees us and part of what Canadians overwhelmingly believe can power our future. The greatest opportunities for growth and resilience lie in the landscapes and communities that define Canada: our forests, farms, wetlands, and Indigenous-managed lands.
7 in 10 Canadians agree that, given current economic uncertainties, the country should strengthen policies and incentives that encourage nature-based practices to improve resilience and stability. The same share believe it’s more important than ever to differentiate Canada’s economic direction from that of the U.S. by valuing nature as a competitive advantage.
This research makes one thing clear: Canadians are ready to embrace nature not just as something to preserve, but as the foundation for our shared well-being, resilience, and future.
The Upshot
Canadians are in a period of heightened uncertainty, balancing deep economic anxiety with enduring concern about climate change. Against this backdrop, nature stands out as a rare source of confidence and consensus. Canadians across demographics and political stripes overwhelmingly view nature – including our forests, farmlands, wetlands, and Indigenous-managed lands- as a valuable economic asset, a powerful resource for building a sustainable, resilient economy, and an important part of Canada’s national strategy.
Public attitudes toward nature-based solutions offer a rare foundation of social license. While people may not be talking about these policies unprompted, they’re not opposing them either – and when they learn more, they like what they hear. This creates room to articulate a vision that connects nature to prosperity, security, and Canadian identity.
This shared confidence presents a unique opening to advance policies that strengthen economic resilience and environmental leadership together, rather than forcing a choice between the two. Canadians also want to see the federal government play a leading role -from taking stronger action on climate change to investing more in nature-based approaches and supporting businesses and communities to adopt them.
Overall, there is broad support for nature-based solutions and a clear desire to see them put into practice.
About the research
This research was conducted by Abacus Data for Nature United.
The survey of 2,500 Canadian adults was conducted September 12–19, 2025, with oversamples in British Columbia and Manitoba.
Data were weighted by age, gender, education, and region to reflect the national population.
Abacus Data follows the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements that can be found here: https://canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards
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