The Met Office has announced a new initiative to provide expert information on climate-related issues.
Climate Service UK was launched on 3 June with the aim of building on the Met Office's expanding knowledge of climate science, ever-improving climate forecasts, and growing understanding of how climate impacts society and the environment. It marks a step-change in the provision of services to assess how a changing climate might affect business and society.
At the launch, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “Climate Service UK builds on a foundation of world-leading science and I’m sure will become an essential framework for advising on the risks and opportunities of a changing climate.”
Furthermore, through the provision of climate information and tools, specialist services and expert advice, the Met Office will enable well informed decisions to be made by government and business that address the risks and opportunities posed by our changing climate.
Julia Slingo, the Met Office’s chief scientist, said: “The volatile weather of 2012 illustrates society's increasing vulnerability and exposure to climate-related hazards. Together with our global network of partners across government, academe and business, we are well placed to rise to the challenge of delivering Climate Service UK that addresses the needs of societies everywhere.”
Climate Service UK draws on the national climate capability. That capability, funded in part by Defra and DECC through the Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme, provides the core science needed to inform decisions on climate variability and change.
Recognising that advice is needed worldwide to support decisions on managing exposure to climate variability and change, the World Meteorological Organization has created the Global Framework for At the launch – at the Institute of Physics in London – Met Office chief executive John Hirst said: “If we need a reminder of how important this is, we just have to look back – even in the United Kingdom – over the last 14 months. In April last year we came to the end of a long drought. This was really stressful for many parts of the community, especially the agricultural community. Then we went through the wettest summer for 100 years. Again, this had a massive impact on homes, businesses, and amongst others, the agricultural community. We then had a prolonged, cold winter.”