Turning science into action: RMetS achieves major emissions reduction milestone
nathan.reece@r…
29 October 2025
The Royal Meteorological Society is pleased to share that, after more than 15 years of work to reduce our environmental impact, we have now reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions – those directly under our control – by more than 90% to just 0.3tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).
While Net Zero is defined as a 90%+ reduction across all scopes, we are pleased to have already achieved this level of reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions ahead of schedule. This represents a significant milestone on our journey to full Net Zero and reflects the strong encouragement of our members, who have consistently called for climate science to be matched by credible action.
To help us measure progress with confidence, we have worked with PlanetMark, who benchmark and verify our carbon reporting against science-based targets. Their independent certification has given us the assurance that our reductions are both robust and meaningful.
The journey has involved many small but important steps over the years – from installing solar panels at our headquarters, to moving to a 100% renewable energy supplier, removing our gas boiler, and divesting from fossil fuels. We have also worked hard to reduce our energy consumption, waste and materials including paper. These changes have been embedded into the way the Society operates and governed with the support of our Trustees.
Prof Liz Bentley FRMetS, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society said,
“Achieving this significant reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions is just one of the ways we’re aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and the need to take responsibility to act on climate change. By reducing our operational emissions, we’re putting the science – and our members’ values – into practice.”
The work does not stop here. The biggest challenge for us, as it is for many organisations, lies in reducing our Scope 3 emissions, particularly in publishing, investments, and events which collectively make up 85% of our Scope 3 emissions. Our focus in the last few years has been on these areas, working closely with suppliers and partners to reduce emissions further. Our goal is to achieve full Net Zero across all scopes by 2030.
We are grateful to our members and staff whose values and commitment have helped bring us to this point. This achievement shows what can be done when science and action are aligned, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.
