Irresponsible Science?

The Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) demonstrates a commitment to climate science through its mission and the endorsement of the 2015 Climate Communiqué, but lacks a comprehensive environmental policy for its own operations. While no direct financial links to fossil fuel or arms industries were found in its corporate memberships, events, or education programmes, the society's lack of a specific ethical investment policy and transparency regarding its £670,000 investment portfolio suggests that such links are likely present in its financial holdings.

• The Royal Meteorological Society lacks a comprehensive environmental policy covering its own activities or those of its members, although it has previously set carbon reduction targets. Its 2009-2010 strategic plan aimed for a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2012, and in 2017 it reported a 56% reduction over an unspecified period. However, the 2018-2020 strategic plan only mentions using "environmentally friendly" technology for headquarters upgrades.
• The society manages an investment portfolio totaling £670,000, consisting of UK equities (£271,000), overseas equities/other investments (£226,000), and government stock/corporate bonds (£173,000). It does not provide a detailed list of the specific companies or funds in which it is invested.
• RMetS does not have a dedicated ethical investment policy document. While its general investment policy states that investments should not be held in companies whose activities contradict the society's "social, environmental and ethical responsibilities," it does not explicitly define these responsibilities or list excluded industries.
• There is no evidence of financial links to the fossil fuel or arms industries within the society's corporate membership, events, or school education programmes. However, due to the lack of transparency and a specific ethical policy regarding its investment funds, the study concludes that significant links to these industries are likely present in its investments.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (n.d.). Irresponsible Science? https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/17-Royal_Meteorological_Society.pdf

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. Irresponsible Science? n.d. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/17-Royal_Meteorological_Society.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=Irresponsible Science? |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/17-Royal_Meteorological_Society.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scientistsforglobalresponsibilityndirresponsible, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{Irresponsible Science?}}, institution = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/17-Royal_Meteorological_Society.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }