Weather and climate intelligence underpin the Met Office’s purpose and vision, and embracing innovation enables us to deliver even greater value and impact in a rapidly changing world - geopolitical uncertainties, climate impacts, and technological disruptions — like the rise of AI — presenting both challenges and opportunities.
Stimulating growth for citizens, businesses, institutions and communities by working alongside them as a trusted partner is a cornerstone of the new Met Office strategy. Less than six months since this was launched, a number of innovative strategic partnerships are already in place.
A shared mission to reach UK citizens
As two iconic UK institutions, the partnership announced between the Met Office and the BBC will leverage the BBC’s journalism and broadcasting expertise and the Met Office’s weather and climate science and intelligence. The partnership will demonstrate increased public value by serving more people across digital and broadcast platforms, utilising the Met Office’s supercomputer for the most advanced weather information and the BBC’s unparalleled reach and engagement with audiences. Weather education, countering weather and climate mis- and dis-information and creating communities where people share weather stories and information are just some of the areas the partnership is exploring.
Improving rail passenger experience
The process of the Met Office and Network Rail – both government bodies - working together became more streamlined this year with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This innovative collaboration – described as a “game changer” by the Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy - will speed up work which contributes to the resilience of the rail network especially in the face of extreme weather, helping provide better services for passengers and taxpayers.
Supporting the green energy transition
The UK Government’s Net Zero ambitions are reliant on a resilient and affordable energy system, and the signing of a new MoU between the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the Met Office demonstrates our joint commitment to this transition. Bringing together weather and climate intelligence with energy system expertise, will enable effective planning for a cleaner, affordable future energy system that mitigates the risks of a changing climate.
Delivering value to the UK
As a trading fund, the Met Office has a wide range of customers and partnerships across industries from aviation to energy – these new strategic partnerships are innovating the way we develop some of these relationships and the opportunities they present.
In 2024, a London Economics economic study estimated the Met Office will add £56 billion of value to the UK economy over the following decade – £19 for every £1 of public money invested. By continuing to innovate how we produce and deliver our data, science and services, as well as transforming partnerships and collaborations, we can continue to offer value for money and impact to the whole of UK society, building on the high levels of trust – currently 83% - of the UK public.