The Royal Meteorological Society is committed to supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to help advance the world towards a more sustainable Future for all. 

 

What is Sustainable Development 

 

While there have been many attempts to define Sustainable Development, there is one definition that has become widely used and accepted, that of the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations in 1987:  

“sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  

At the 2005 World Summit it was noted that this requires the reconciliation of environmental, social and economic demands – the “three pillars” of sustainability.  

 

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

 

In the words of the United Nations “the Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals, are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030.” The SDGs were adopted by all United Nations (UN) members in 2015. Underneath the 17 Goals sit 169 targets to measure progress towards achieving the Goals.  

 

The 17 Goals are as follows:

SDG 1 – End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

SDG 2 – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

SDG 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 5 – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

SDG 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

SDG 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDG 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

SDG 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countries.

SDG 11 – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy.

SDG 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

SDG 15 is to: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

SDG 16 is to: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

SDG 17 is to: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The full wording of the SDGs is often shortened and expressed in the form of the following graphic: 

 

 

Weather and climate impact all SDGs

 

Weather and climate affects just about every aspect of people’s lives and therefore virtually everything RMetS does, through its programs and operations, helps to achieve the SDGs. The rapidly increasing private sector in the provision of weather and climate services is testament to the increased recognition of the value weather forecasts and climate information can bring to a wide range of public and private sector organisations. Weather and seasonal forecasts help farmers grow the food we need more efficiently (SDG2) which in turn leads to reducing poverty (SDG1). Weather warnings of storms and floods save many lives (SDG3). Education in weather and climate at all stages of education is vital in so many ways, not least in understanding the risks of climate change (SDG4). Weather and climate have been clearly shown to impact more on women and the poor exacerbating gender and other inequalities (SDG5), (SDG9). Climate information of rainfall is critical in planning the siting of dams and reservoirs (SDG6) as is information on wind climatology in planning future wind farms (SDG7). Our work in accreditation helps to raise standards in weather forecasting and climate research helping to provide high quality jobs (SDG8). Most industries, infrastructure and communities, including those within cities, are critically affected by the weather and climate (SDG9), (SDG10), SDG11). Improved weather forecasts help farmers and supermarkets produce and deliver the right amount of stock at the right time to reduce food waste (SDG12). SDG 13, Climate action, requires the most reliable projections of future climate on which to base decision making and all actions to conserve, protect and restore ecosystems below water or on land are critically dependent on the weather and climate (SDG14), (SDG15). It has been shown that weather and climate, for example through floods or failure of crops have been contributing factors in major conflicts, such as the Arab Spring (SDG16). And finally, the weather and climate community, including RMetS are important players in partnerships for development around the world (SDG17). These are just a few simple, illustrative examples of how weather and climate have an important role to play in the implementation of the SDGs, but in fact they are inextricably linked.  

So, while it is clear that everything RMetS in some way supports SDG implementation there is always more we can do and RMetS is committed to improve and expand its efforts in support of the SDGs.

 

RMetS Mission and Strategic Objectives

 

Much of the information presented below and in the following section is extracted from the Strategic Plan of the Society, where you can find more information on RMetS and its programs:

https://www.rmets.org/sites/default/files/RMetS-2024-2026-Strategic-Plan.pdf

 

Mission 

The Society’s mission is to advance the understanding of weather and climate and its application for the benefit of all.  

The Society’s mission has a wide remit that looks to support people’s understanding, interest and enthusiasm in weather and climate, whether they are research scientists, enthusiasts, practitioners, students, teachers or members of the general public. It goes further, supporting the development of high-quality science, the next generation of scientists and operational meteorologists, professional development of individuals, accrediting further and higher education courses, informing policy and supporting learning in weather and climate through education and outreach activities.  

 

Strategic Objectives 

The strategic objectives define how the Society will achieve its mission in the long term. The Society’s strategic plan will be centred on FIVE strategic objectives.  

1. To strengthen the scientific study and application of weather and climate, and related disciplines, through publications, events, partnerships, awards and training. 

2. To support, develop and empower weather and climate scientists through professional accreditation, career advice, communication, provision of information and networking.  

3. To engage and inspire everyone in weather and climate through events, volunteering, communication, local centres, special interest groups, public engagement and about the work of the Society. 

4. To educate and inform society about weather and climate through the support and promotion of weather and climate science in education, outreach and providing public information. 

5. To be an independent voice of authority, advice and advocacy for the science and the profession through the promotion of weather and climate science information in policy and decision-making and its relevance to society.  

The Society’s mission is to advance the understanding of weather and climate and its application for the benefit of all.  

The Society’s mission has a wide remit that looks to support people’s understanding, interest and enthusiasm in weather and climate, whether they are research scientists, enthusiasts, practitioners, students, teachers or members of the general public. It goes further, supporting the development of high-quality science, the next generation of scientists and operational meteorologists, professional development of individuals, accrediting further and higher education courses, informing policy and supporting learning in weather and climate through education and outreach activities.  

 

Cross-cutting Priorities 

The Society’s strategic cross-cutting priorities ensure the Society has the capacity and capability to achieve its strategic objectives. This includes having secure and diverse sources of income, a skilled and motivated workforce, strong strategic partnerships, sound governance, excellent marketing and communication activities, effective use of IT resources and an active group of volunteers across all our activities. In addition, the Society will prioritise and integrate diversity and inclusion and our net-zero commitment.  

 

Programmes of Work

The Society’s strategic plan will be achieved through programmes of work. The programmes are as follows:  

1. Membership Development  
2. Events  
3. Scientific Publishing  
4. Education  
5. Professional Development and Accreditation  
6. Science Engagement  
7. Support Activities 

 

 

How does RMetS support the achievement of the SDGs

This section gives examples of some of the ways that RMetS directly contributes to the implementation of the SDGs. Again, it is just illustrative and is far from comprehensive.

 

Events

The aim of RMetS events program is to advance the science and its application of weather and climate through delivering face-to-face and online events to a growing and increasingly diverse audience from across the meteorological community and other related disciplines. The Society normally hosts between 50 to 70 events a year, including conferences, and Special Interest Groups, Local Centres and National meetings. Most of these events are run in partnership with others and are free to attend – hosting a blend of virtual, public and live-streamed events.  

Examples of events run this year include extreme weather events (SDG3) (SDG13), climate resilient energy systems (SDG7) (SDG13), sea level rise (SDG14) (SDG9), how the weather affects water resources in SE England (SDG6), air quality (SDG3), hydrogen energy (SDG7), gardening and climate change (SDG2), (SDG15), weather related hazards (SDG3) (SDG9), and aviation meteorology (SDG3).

The Society runs two major conferences each year, the RMetS Annual Weather and Climate Conference and the Early Career and Student Conference. The Annual Weather and Climate Conference brings together academics, practitioners and industry to exchange ideas and knowledge. Advancing the science contributes to many SDGs, not least in helping to provide the scientific justification for SDG 13. The Early Career and Student Conference provides an opportunity for students and young scientists to present their work in a friendly environment, providing them with the experience and skills they will need as they progress their careers, directly contributing to SDG4 & SDG8.

Masterclasses that are held to provide support for professionals working in weather and climate, and its operational applications who wish to remain up to date on recent scientific developments in the field (SDG8).  

 

Scientific publishing

Scientific publishing is one of the Society’s strengths and aims to deliver a high-quality portfolio of journals, a book programme and support scientific knowledge management and promotion of the science.  

Most, if not all, the papers published in what is a diverse set of journals and publications help to advance knowledge of weather and climate and hence help to advance a wide range of the SDGs, for example (SDG13), (SDG14), (SDG15). RMetS is moving towards making all of its Journals Open Access and hence freely available to all (SDG10).  

 

Education

The Society aspires that every student should leave school with basic weather and climate literacy (SDG4). It also promotes meteorology, as a science and profession, to encourage a more diverse student base to consider a career in meteorology (SDG5), (SDG10). The Society endeavours to maintain and raise the profile of weather and climate by responding to Government and Exam Board consultations and develop resources to support new curricula and exam specifications. MetLink is the Society’s education website, www.MetLink.org, and provides weather and climate resources aimed at primary and secondary school teachers.  

But RMetS supports lifelong educational needs, from the youngest to the oldest, from those with little or no previous knowledge to some of the world’s leading experts, from enthusiasts and amateurs to professionals and all of them support SDG4.  

 

Accreditation

The aim of the Society’s accreditation activities is to build a stronger meteorological profession through relevant, recognised and valued schemes. The Society is recognised as the professional body for meteorology in the UK, and offers independent recognition and regulation around professional development for meteorology and meteorologists. The Society defines the scope of its accreditation activity as recognising excellence in people and in organisations and their continuing professional development. In this way those working in the field of weather and climate undertake continuing professional development and have their skills independently recognised strengthening both their own skills but raising those of the sector as a whole (SDG8).  

 

Science engagement

The aim of the Society’s science engagement activities is to advance the understanding of weather and climate outside of UK formal education settings and increase awareness of the science and its applications through collaboration with science and communication partners to maximise reach and share resources. The Society recognises the importance of engaging in conversations and providing evidence-based information about weather and climate. By being an active participant in these discussions the Society can provide constructive contributions that represent the interests of meteorology whilst increasing its visibility as an independent, authoritative voice on weather and climate.  

The Society is actively involved in Government on areas around weather and climate change, including providing advice and expertise that helps inform policy makers as well as authoring statements and briefing papers (SDG13) (SDG17).

Each year the Society is involved with more than 150 media enquiries for TV, radio, print and online reports, (SDG4). These often occur during times of extreme weather (SDG3), to ensure the public are both informed and engaged with the latest weather and climate news stories.

 

Awards and prizes

The Royal Meteorological Society recognises excellence in meteorology and related disciplines through its Awards and Prizes. The independent recognition these prizes bring to individuals is valuable to them in their careers, SDG(8).  

 

Support activities, operations and practices

The Society is also committed to contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through its day-to-day activities, operations and practices.  

The Society undertakes a number of support activities including: support to the headquarters team through training and development (SDG8), building maintenance (SDG9) and office management.  The Society has also recently introduced Private Health and Salary Sacrifice schemes for staff (SDG8).

The Society has made a Net Zero commitment that aims to raise awareness of sustainability and pathways to net zero and to lead by example through our commitment to becoming a net zero organisation (SDG13). Through a range of activities including replacing an old gas boiler with heat pumps powered by renewable electricity from a verified supplier, the Society has met its commitment to achieving net zero direct emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) where we have direct control by 2025. The Society will also work towards net zero indirect emissions (Scope 3) by 2030, subject to full feasibility assessments. A large component of the Society’s indirect (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions comes as a result of our scientific publishing activities. We have therefore initiated a Pathway to Net Zero project with our publishers, Wiley.  

The Society aims to lead by example and encourage the meteorological community to be both diverse and inclusive making the best use of the talent that exists in all parts of society to provide access to the world of science, technology and the profession of meteorology for all (SDG5), (SDG8), (SDG10). The Society’s Diversity and Inclusion plan embeds the importance of our diversity and inclusion strategy in everything the Society does and aims to deliver on a progression framework.  

The Society has changed the way it provides food and refreshments at events to be vegetarian (SDG3), provided by local providers (SDG8) with strong sustainability credentials (SDG12). This year we introduced bamboo badges, replacing the older plastic badges. These badges are made in the UK, reusable, and the inserts are recyclable. The badges have been an enormous su345cess with our event delegation with comments not only about their appearance but their environmental impact as well (SDG3).  

 

Summary

Because of the all-pervasive impact of weather and climate throughout society virtually all RMetS does contributes to the achievement of the SDGs in some way. As part of the development of its next Strategic Plan, the process for which begins in late 2025, the Society will seek ways to further integrate the SDGs into its activities. Without pre-empting this process, ways of doing this could include:

1. The adoption of a tool to measure the Society’s impact across each SDG. There are several tools available for doing this an example of which is shown below.  

 

 

2. The development of action plans for each of the Society’s programmes of work, its support activities, operations and practices.  

3. A programme of engagement with key stakeholders, partners, suppliers and members to, if necessary, make them aware of the SDGs and then to seek ways to involve them in ways the Society can increase the positive impact it has on the SDGs.

In summary, the Society will continue to seek ways to maximise its contribution to the achievement of the SDGs in order to help the world towards a more sustainable future for all.