UK Government Climate Secondees: a case study in integrating climate intelligence into government decisions

Effective climate action depends on decision makers having access to science that is timely, relevant, and readily usable. UK government decision-makers work across diverse priorities and require support to rapidly upskill in new subject areas as scientific evidence evolves. Embedding climate science communicators within government bridges the gap between government evidence needs and the scientific community. By acting as knowledge brokers, secondees ensure decision makers have access to complex climate information that has been translated and tailored into meaningful department specific decision ready insights.

While previous studies recognise knowledge brokering as important for coproduction and stakeholder engagement, much of the literature remains conceptual. Our work contributes a practical case study on the benefits of embedding climate communication secondees across three UK government departments as part of the Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme (MOHCCP). These departments include (1) the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, (2) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and (3) the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Secondees split their time evenly between MOHCCP and their UK government department, enabling them to maintain strong links to both scientific development and evolving policy needs.

Our findings show that integration into departmental teams while maintaining connection with MOHCCP is essential for early identification and understanding of evolving policy needs, translation of the latest emerging evidence into decision-ready storylines, and feedback into long-term MOHCCP research planning. Secondees help to strengthen cross departmental dialogue, broaden the reach of scientific expertise, and enable a dynamic push -pull of knowledge that improves clarity and uptake of climate information. The approach is now being trialled internationally in partnership with the World Meteorological Organisation, with promising early feedback.

This case study demonstrates a transferable model of science communication, where embedded knowledge brokers can accelerate evidence uptake and enable joined up climate decision making, a proven approach that could be replicated across countries and contexts with similar success.