The partnership has been announced at ICAEW’s Sustainability Summit, the Institute’s global flagship sustainability event. It aims to strengthen finance professionals' understanding and application of climate science, enabling them to better assess climate-related financial risks and opportunities, support climate risk assessment and resilience planning, and enhance business decision making. The partnership will also help drive high-quality financial reporting and sustainability disclosures related to these risks and opportunities, alongside the robust audit and assurance of that information.
The collaboration combines the Met Office's expertise in climate science and ICAEW's expertise in accountancy, finance, and business leadership to support members and students to embed climate intelligence into their roles, strengthening trust and confidence in decision making, economic resilience and business competitiveness. Together, the organisations aim to make complex climate and sustainability topics accessible and relevant to finance professionals at all levels.
Learning and development materials, which will go live in 2027, will use the Met Office’s expertise in climate intelligence, based on the latest science and data, including research that has informed international climate assessments such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, and the UK’s latest climate risk assessment.
Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, said: “This partnership reflects ICAEW’s ambitions to lead conversations on the issues that matter to the profession and business, and to strengthen the expertise and capabilities of our members and students for future success. Boosting understanding of climate and sustainability intelligence to improve financial decision making is integral to both ambitions and to advancing the transition to resilient, competitive economies. Working with the Met Office reflects our commitment to helping our members and the wider profession understand climate science and apply it to business decision-making.”
Professor Jason Lowe OBE, Met Office Principal Fellow and lead on climate services, said: “By providing authoritative climate data, projections and scientific expertise, the Met Office will support ICAEW in translating this intelligence and thought leadership into professional practice. Understanding the changing climate and the application of the science for the finance and accountancy profession will empower the industry to better assess climate risks, improve high-quality sustainability reporting and realise the opportunities from climate action.”
Steve Calder, Met Office Chief Customer Officer said: “The values of the Met Office and ICAEW are closely aligned. This partnership will let us combine the best climate intelligence from the Met Office with the best knowledge and support that the ICAEW provides to accountancy professionals in order to deliver a major step forward in dealing with the climate challenge in the UK and internationally.”
Ravi Abeywardana, ICAEW Director of Sustainability and Assurance, said: “With climate volatility increasingly affecting businesses around the world, there has never been a more important time to bring together ICAEW’s professional expertise and the Met Office’s world-leading climate science.
“This partnership will help accountancy and finance professionals interpret climate information and translate it into practical action. Better use of climate intelligence can support investment and operational decisions, strengthen financial performance and resilience, and improve financial reporting and sustainability disclosures, assurance and risk management. In doing so, the partnership reinforces ICAEW’s role in connecting developments in climate science with the practical needs of the profession, business and the wider economy.”
The first offering, a joint webinar made in collaboration between the Met Office and ICAEW, will take place in early 2027.
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Notes to editors:
About the Met Office
The Met Office is the UK’s National Meteorological Service, providing 24x7 world-renowned scientific excellence in weather, climate and environmental forecasts and severe weather warnings for the protection of life and property. www.metoffice.gov.uk
The Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Science and Services provides world-class guidance on the science of climate change and is the primary focus in the UK for climate science. Its work is, in part, funded by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) and supports the work of DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) and other UK Government departments.
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About ICAEW
Chartered accountants are talented, ethical and committed professionals. ICAEW represents more than 211,600 members and students around the world. 81 of the top 100 global brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants.* 82% of FTSE 100 companies have an ICAEW member on their board.
Founded in 1880, ICAEW has a long history of serving the public interest and we continue to work with governments, regulators and business leaders globally. And, as a world-leading improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor more than 11,500 firms, holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the highest standards of professional competency and conduct.
We promote inclusivity, diversity and fairness and we give talented professionals the skills and values they need to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring our planet’s resources are managed sustainably.
ICAEW is working towards becoming net zero, demonstrating our commitment to tackle climate change and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.
ICAEW is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1.8m chartered accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, we support, develop and promote the role of chartered accountants as trusted business leaders, difference makers and advisers.
We believe that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing our insight, expertise and understanding we can help to create sustainable economies and a better future for all.
* includes parent companies. Source: ICAEW member data March 2026, Interbrand, Best Global Brands 2025.
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