The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has commissioned the National Environmental Literacy Survey (ELS) 2026, a nationwide assessment that will measure environmental knowledge, attitudes and practices across Trinidad and Tobago.
The survey will provide valuable data to help shape future environmental education programmes, policies and public awareness initiatives. The survey follows the inaugural Environmental Literacy Survey conducted in 2016, which established a national benchmark for environmental literacy and informed the revision of the National Environmental Policy, 2018. Ten years later, the follow-up survey will seek to:
- Develop an updated national measure of environmental literacy;
- Assess trends in environmental knowledge, attitudes and practices since 2016;
- Gauge awareness of the National Environmental Policy (2018); and
- Generate evidence to support environmental education and policy development.
The survey will be conducted by Kairi Consultants Limited on behalf of the EMA through random sampling of households, businesses and secondary schools. Fieldwork will commence on 14 August 2026 and continue over a three-month period. Commenting on the ELS, EMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joth Singh, said: “Understanding the knowledge, attitude and practices of citizens on environmental issues is essential to developing effective policies and education programmes. The National Environmental Literacy Survey will provide valuable insights that will help the country strengthen environmental awareness and support sustainable development across Trinidad and Tobago.”
The EMA encourages all households, businesses and secondary schools that are randomly selected to participate in the survey. Information collected will be treated confidentially and used solely for the purposes of the study. The findings will help shape future environmental programmes and policies, ensuring they are informed by reliable data and responsive to the needs of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.