Exploring climate service purveyor engagement and use of national climate projections

The increased focus on climate change impacts over recent years and the recognised need for adaptation across society has led to a rise in the use of climate information such as the  Climate Projections (UKCP18) in the UK. However, while public sector engagement with the Projections has been explored, there is very limited knowledge on how the private sector engages with and uses climate information to provide services to their end-users. The REVEAL project aimed to understand how these climate service purveyors use UKCP18 and other climate data, their relationships with both producers and users, and emerging climate information needs. For the purposes of this study, purveyors were defined as “Organisations beyond government bodies that use, enhance or add value to UKCP18 climate information to address specific users' needs.” 

Building upon initial Met Office research conducted in 2023 the project initially carried out a landscape assessment of purveyors in the UK who would likely use climate data and information. A total of 31 semi-structured interviews were then conducted with purveyor organisations to explore in more in-depth themes around: organisational and client profile; current and future use of UKCP18; barriers to using UKCP18; suggested developments for the next UK Projections; and wider recommendations for climate services in the UK. 

This study highlighted key findings around the expanding and heterogeneous landscape of purveyors in the UK, their perceptions and current use of UKCP18, the type of activities pursued and their clients, requirements for improving the next phase of projections as well as recommendations for linking up with other derived products such as the recently launched Local Authority Climate Service and Climate Risk Indicators. The study also offers insights into the expanding role of these intermediaries in the climate services value chain over the last few years as well as wider considerations on the governance of climate information and services in the context of climate adaptation efforts in the UK and Europe.