Sustainable Development Goals
Supporting the UK Government in their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 and address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation. As part of UK Government, the Met Office is supporting the UK's contribution to the SDGs. The examples below provide information on some of the ways we are doing this.
Goal 3 - Good health and wellbeing
Goal 6 - Clean water and sanitation
Goal 7 - Affordable and clean energy
Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth
Goal 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12 - Responsible consumption and production
Goal 17 - Partnerships for the goals
No Poverty
1. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) Southeast Asia
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia
Developing and improving underpinning capability in forecasting systems, and advancing the understanding of high-impact weather events in order to provide better advice and mitigate socio-economic impacts.
Also supporting goals 11 and 13.
2. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) India
India
Working in partnership to improve prediction and advice of high impact weather in India.
Also supporting goals 11 and 13.
3. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP)
Global
Leading the UK contribution to the WMO VCP by supporting other national meteorological services to sustainably develop their weather and climate services.
Also supporting goals 2 and 17.
Zero hunger
1. Wheat Rust Alert Service for Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Using dispersion forecasts the partnership produce alerts and guidance for farmers, local government agents and central government on the occurrence and risk of Wheat Rust along with actions that can be taken.
Also supporting goal 3.
2. Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC)
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan
Strengthening weather forecasting systems across Asia to help vulnerable communities use weather warnings and forecasts to better prepare for climate-related shocks.
Also supporting goals 13 and 17.
3. Climate Science for Service Partnership (CSSP) China
China
Undertaking collaborative research to aid the development of weather and climate services for sectors including food security, energy, urban environment and air quality.
Also supporting goals 7 and 13.
4. Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER)
East Africa
Working in partnership across East Africa and the Sahel to improve the quality, accessibility and use of weather and climate information services at all levels of decision making for sustainable development in Africa.
Also supporting goals 9 and 13.
5. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - AFRICAP
Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia
Creating an evidence base to help make agriculture and food production in Sub-Saharan Africa more productive, sustainable and resilient to climate change.
Also supporting goal 13.
6. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Common Sensing
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands
Supporting small island nations by developing satellite-based information services to strengthen climate action policy and reduce the impact of natural disasters and food security.
Also supporting goals 13 and 17.
7. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Drought and Flood Mitigation Service Uganda
Uganda
Aiming to improve climate modelling and its impact on agriculture through the development of an Environment Early Warning Platform (EWP).
Also supporting goals 6 and 13.
8. ASPIRE (Adaptive Social Protection - Information for Enhanced REsilience)
Senegal, Niger, Mali
Integrating climate and livelihoods information into social protection programmes, enabling a move away from expensive post-disaster emergency aid towards anticipatory action.
Also supporting goal 13.
9. World Food Programme Food Insecurity Index (2015) and Food Security and Climate Change Assessment for Sudan (2016)
Global and Sudan
Working in partnership to improve the understanding of weather and climate on food security.
Also supporting goal 13.
10. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP)
Global
Leading the UK contribution to the WMO VCP by supporting other national meteorological services to sustainably develop their weather and climate services.
Also supporting goals 1, 13 and 17.
Good health and wellbeing
1. Clean Air: Analysis and Solutions
UK
Aiming to better predict exposure to air pollution and its effects on vulnerable groups, and catalyse innovation in technology, business models and policy best practice.
Heat & Cold Health Alert System
UK
Working in partnership to alert Public Health officials, the NHS and care home providers when hot or cold conditions occur that may have an impact on the health of vulnerable groups.
Also supporting goals 11 and 13.
2. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Dengue fever Early Warning System (DEWS)
Vietnam
Developing an early warning system to predict dengue fever outbreaks in Vietnam.
Also supporting goal 13.
3. Cholera prevention in Yemen
Yemen
Verifying ability to predict cholera outbreaks from rainfall and temperature forecasts and targeting interventions to prevent outbreaks of cholera.
Also supporting goal 17.
4. Wheat Rust Alert Service for Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Using dispersion forecasts the partnership produce alerts and guidance for farmers, local government agents and central government on the occurrence and risk of Wheat Rust along with actions that can be taken.
Also supporting goal 2.
Quality education
1. Met Office for Schools
UK
Combining world-leading meteorology expertise with a sense of fun and adventure, our free resources aim to spark students’ curiosity in the world around them and help them be prepared for the effects of weather and climate change.
Gender equality
1. Supporting gender equality in the WMO
UK
The Met Office has been actively supporting the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to effectively address gender inequality, in line with the SDGs, for many years. The UK’s Permanent Representative (the Met Office Chief Executive) is a member of the WMO’s Executive Council Gender Mainstreaming group and we have been a key player in creating the WMO’s Gender Action Plan.
Equality, diversity and inclusion strategic action
Equality, diversity and inclusion are three areas that the Met Office wants to enhance to provide an environment for everyone to achieve their full potential.
Clean water and sanitation
1. Services for water companies
UK
Working together to enable effective water resource planning, efficient operations and management of future risks associated with the impacts of climate change.
UK Climate Projections (UKCP)
Providing the most up-to-date assessment of how the climate of the UK may change over the 21st century, including information to help with climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans.
Also supporting goals 12 and 13.
2. Global Challenges Research Fund - Drought and Flood Mitigation Service Uganda
Uganda
Aiming to improve climate modelling and its impact on agriculture through the development of an Environment Early Warning Platform (EWP).
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
3. Future Climate For Africa (FCFA)
Africa
Generating fundamentally new climate science focused on Africa, and ensuring that this science has an impact on human development across the continent.
Also supporting goals 9 and 13.
Affordable and clean energy
1. Services for energy companies
UK
Working together to balance demand and generation, support safe efficient operations, and plan for extreme weather impacts and climate change adaptation.
Also supporting goals 8 and 12.
2. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) South Africa
South Africa
Developing the capacity to support development of user-led weather services and enhance impact-based forecasting.
Also supporting goal 11.
3. Climate Science for Service Partnership (CSSP) China
China
Undertaking collaborative research to aid the development of weather and climate services for sectors including food security, energy, urban environment and air quality.
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
Decent work and economic growth
1. Services for energy companies
UK
Working together to balance demand and generation, support safe efficient operations, and plan for extreme weather impacts and climate change adaptation.
Services for water companies
UK
Working together to enable effective water resource planning, efficient operations and management of future risks associated with the impacts of climate change.
Also supporting goals 6, 7 and 12.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
1. Services for infrastructure planning
UK
Supporting policy decision-making, design, build, operation, and decommissioning of large UK infrastructure projects.
Also supporting goal 13.
2. Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER)
East Africa
Working in partnership across East Africa and the Sahel to improve the quality, accessibility and use of weather and climate information services at all levels of decision making for sustainable development in Africa.
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
3. Future Climate For Africa (FCFA)
Africa
Generating fundamentally new climate science focused on Africa, and ensuring that this science has an impact on human development across the continent.
Also supporting goals 6 and 13.
Sustainable cities and communities
1. Clean Air: Analysis and Solutions
UK
Aiming to better predict exposure to air pollution and its effects on vulnerable groups, and catalyse innovation in technology, business models and policy best practice.
Also supporting goal 3.
2. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) Southeast Asia
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia
Developing and improving underpinning capability in forecasting systems, and advancing the understanding of high-impact weather events in order to provide better advice and mitigate socio-economic impacts.
Also supporting goals 1 and 13.
3. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) India
India
Working in partnership to improve prediction and advice of high impact weather in India.
Also supporting goals 1 and 13.
4. Building resilience to climate extremes in the Philippines
Philippines
Worked in partnership with the national meteorological service of the Philippines (PAGASA) to improve resilience to severe weather and climate change in the Philippines.
Also supporting goal 13.
5. Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) South Africa
South Africa
Developing the capacity to support development of user-led weather services and enhance impact-based forecasting.
Also supporting goal 7.
6. Disaster Risk Resilience work
Global
Engaging at policy level and providing advice to governments, meteorological services and agencies to enhance global resilience to natural disasters and reduce associated risks e.g. during the 2017 Caribbean hurricanes.
Also supporting goals 13 and 17.
Responsible consumption and production
1. Services for energy companies
UK
Working together to balance demand and generation, support safe efficient operations, and plan for extreme weather impacts and climate change adaptation.
Services for water companies
UK
Working together to enable effective water resource planning, efficient operations and management of future risks associated with the impacts of climate change.
Also supporting goals 6, 7 and 8.
Climate action
1. Public Weather Service (PWS)
UK
Forecasting weather to support resilience, and protect lives and livelihoods across the UK.
Hadley Centre Climate Programme (HCCP)
UK
The Met Office HCCP undertakes scientifically excellent research on climate variability and change, benefitting the UK climate science base including the development of core UK climate science infrastructure. It serves the needs of the UK Government by providing policy-relevant scientific evidence and advice.
UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18)
UK
Providing the most up-to-date assessment of how the climate of the UK may change over the 21st century, including information to help with climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans.
Also supporting goal 6.
2. Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC)
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan
Strengthening weather forecasting systems across Asia to help vulnerable communities use weather warnings and forecasts to better prepare for climate-related shocks.
Also supporting goals 2 and 17.
3. Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER)
East Africa
Working in partnership across East Africa and the Sahel to improve the quality, accessibility and use of weather and climate information services at all levels of decision making for sustainable development in Africa.
Also supporting goals 2 and 9.
4. Climate Science for Service Partnership (CSSP) Brazil
Brazil
Undertaking collaborative research to improve climate modelling capabilities and analyse severe weather events to inform decision makers in climate mitigation and adaptation strategy.
Also supporting goal 17.
5. Future Climate For Africa (FCFA)
Africa
Generating fundamentally new climate science focused on Africa, and ensuring that this science has an impact on human development across the continent.
Also supporting goals 6 and 9.
6. Climate Science for Service Partnership (CSSP) China
China
Undertaking collaborative research to aid the development of weather and climate services for sectors including food security, energy, urban environment and air quality.
Also supporting goals 2 and 7.
7. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - African-SWIFT
Kenya
Developing sustainable African weather forecasting capability, to enhance the livelihood of African populations and improve the economies of their countries.
8. Building resilience to climate extremes in the Philippines
Philippines
Worked in partnership with the national meteorological service of the Philippines (PAGASA) to improve resilience to severe weather and climate change in the Philippines.
Also supporting goal 11.
9. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Common Sensing
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands
Supporting small island nations by developing satellite-based information services to strengthen climate action policy and reduce the impact of natural disasters and food security.
Also supporting goals 2 and 17.
10. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - AFRICAP
Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia
Creating an evidence base to help make agriculture and food production in Sub-Saharan Africa more productive, sustainable and resilient to climate change.
Also supporting goal 2.
11. ASPIRE (Adaptive Social Protection - Information for Enhanced REsilience)
Senegal, Niger, Mali
Integrating climate and livelihoods information into social protection programmes, enabling a move away from expensive post-disaster emergency aid towards anticipatory action.
Also supporting goal 2.
12. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP)
Global
Leading the UK contribution to the WMO VCP by supporting other national meteorological services to sustainably develop their weather and climate services.
Commonwealth Climate Services demonstrator
Global
Trialling the application of Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme outputs in Commonwealth nations around the globe. This includes global climate model projections and sea level rise estimates.
Also supporting goals 1, 2 and 17.
Life below water
1. Contribution to the Marine Climate Change Impact Partnership (MCCIP) Report Card
UK
The Report Card 2020 summarises the latest evidence from 26 topics regarding the physical, ecological, and social and economic impacts of climate change on UK coasts and seas. New topics for 2020 include oxygen, cultural heritage, and transport and infrastructure.
The Met Office led the temperature report and contributed to the salinity report.
Also supporting goal 13.
2. Maritime Industries- Environmental risk and Vulnerability Assessment (MINERVA)
Europe
MINERVA projections of marine environmental change around the European shelf seas have been used for a number of studies including harmful algal blooms, future fisheries and marine pathogens.
Reanalysis and daily forecasts of European shelf seas
Europe
The Met Office produce, as part of the Copernicus Marine Service, reanalyses and daily forecasts of the European shelf seas environment, which support monitoring and operational activity.
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
Life on land
1. Enhancing biodiversity
UK
Holders of Wildlife Trusts' Biodiversity Benchmark for our HQ site and involved in Civil Service Network for Nature.
Partnerships for the goals
1. Partnerships for UK resilience Natural Hazards Partnership and Flood Forecasting Centre
UK
The Met Office works in partnership to build meteorological capacity, helping to save lives and strengthen resilience and response to crises.
Also supporting goal 13.
2. Climate Science for Service Partnership (CSSP) Brazil
Brazil
Undertaking collaborative research to improve climate modelling capabilities and analyse severe weather events to inform decision makers in climate mitigation and adaptation strategy.
Also supporting goal 13.
3. Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC)
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan
Strengthening weather forecasting systems across Asia to help vulnerable communities use weather warnings and forecasts to better prepare for climate-related shocks.
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
4. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - Common Sensing
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands
Supporting small island nations by developing satellite-based information services to strengthen climate action policy and reduce the impact of natural disasters and food security.
Also supporting goals 2 and 13.
5. Cholera prevention in Yemen
Yemen
Verifying ability to predict cholera outbreaks from rainfall and temperature forecasts and targeting interventions to prevent outbreaks of cholera.
Also supporting goal 3.
6. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Global
Developing understanding, awareness and partnerships with multiple countries internationally.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Global
Contributing to the IPCC in order to support international efforts to combat climate change and help put research into practice.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP)
Global
Leading the UK contribution to the WMO VCP by supporting other national meteorological services to sustainably develop their weather and climate services.
Commonwealth Climate Services demonstrator
Global
Trialling the application of Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme outputs in Commonwealth nations around the globe. This includes global climate model projections and sea level rise estimates.
Disaster Risk Resilience work
Global
Engaging at policy level and providing advice to governments, meteorological services and agencies to enhance global resilience to natural disasters and reduce associated risks e.g. during the 2017 Caribbean hurricanes.
Also supporting goals 1, 2 and 13.