Today, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science launches its five-year strategy, which sets out our commitment to help solve the challenges of climate change, air pollution and weather hazards.

Now, perhaps more than ever, we are aware of the relationship between society and our atmosphere, and its defining role in the future of our planet.

Our climate is changing faster than ever before in human history, the air we breathe is polluted, and floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts show how much weather can affect our lives. We live and breathe atmospheric science. 

Over the last 20 years, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science has grown in its role as a UK research centre. We have embedded ourselves within a consortium of universities and associated organisations, and have continued to work closely with a wide range of partners to fulfil our role on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation, and society.

Our five-year strategy sets out how we will bring science and society together to unlock the answers to the biggest environmental issues of our time, while preserving the very best of what we do, and continually adapting as new opportunities emerge.

The strategy describes our values, which underpin and guide everything we do, and our collective mission – to understand our atmosphere, how it is changing, and how it impacts life on Earth.

It describes our vision to push the frontiers of atmospheric science, and contribute to a healthy, resilient and productive global environment for the benefit of all.

Our strategy also sets out six goals – to discover, support, create impact, develop, communicate, and collaborate. We cannot achieve our goals without our staff, our partners, and our key stakeholders. 

We hope you will join us in helping society rise to the challenges ahead.