Carbon Neutrality word cloud

Royal Meteorological Society commits to Net Zero direct carbon emissions by 2025

27 October 2021

The Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) joins over 100 signatories on the Pledge to Net Zero, the initiative tackling greenhouse gas emissions within the UK’s environmental services sector. This strengthens RMetS’ longstanding efforts to address the global climate emergency.

RMetS is committed to achieving net zero direct carbon emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2025, where there is direct control through avoiding, reducing and substituting. It is also working towards net zero indirect emissions (Scope 3) by 2030, subject to a full feasibility assessment.

President of the Royal Meteorological Society, Professor David Griggs, FRMetS said:

"As the Society for weather and climate, we are only too aware of the threat posed by climate change, its impact on severe weather and the urgent need for action. As a Society, we must practice what we preach. This Net Zero commitment is one important step we are taking to ensure we are doing what we can to reduce our carbon footprint."

To achieve its goal, the Royal Meteorological Society will:

  • Commit to transforming the business to become net zero as soon as possible.
  • Identify opportunities to accelerate the transition to net zero.
  • Lead by example and share best practices through transparency and collaboration.

In addition, RMetS is part of the CAFA (Climate Action For Associations) which aims to increase climate and sustainability leadership, drive change and reach net zero using the collective power and influence of professional, trade associations and membership organisations. All CAFA members are committed to the same overarching goal: to become a net zero organisation and to support their members to accelerate its collective net zero position.

RMetS also helped develop and signed The Charter for Climate Action. This aims to leverage greater collective ambition through interdisciplinary coordination and is supported by many other professional bodies.

RMetS will be reporting on progress annually and it has already been collating information about scope 1 and 2 emissions for 2019 and 2020. It has been mindful of reducing its carbon footprint for over a decade and is taking steps to eliminate scope 1 emissions by replacing an end of life gas boiler with a new electric system. The Society has already cut its scope 1 electricity emissions to net zero by switching to a 100% renewable energy tariff, switching to efficient lighting and installing solar panels on the roof to contribute to its energy demands. Work to fully understand the scope 3 emissions is currently underway and the roadmap will be updated with the relevant actions needed in 2021.