The United Kingdom will join OceanEye, a large-scale ocean science programme led by the European Union designed to produce near real-time modelling of the world’s oceans to improve forecasts of extreme weather and other climate events, the environment secretary is due to announce in New York on Wednesday.
Cooperation on OceanEye will see British scientists and institutions link with the EU-led effort aimed at providing faster, more detailed ocean data and modelling that can feed into weather and climate prediction systems. Officials described the initiative as a step to sharpen forecasting of events such as storms and marine heatwaves by better representing ocean processes that influence the atmosphere.
Officials said the timing of the announcement reflects broader political priorities. The move comes as the government seeks to rebuild and deepen scientific and environmental ties with European partners following years of disrupted relations, and as ministers look to signal renewed cooperation on shared challenges.
Climate context
The pledge to join OceanEye follows warnings that this year’s so-called "supersized" El Niño, tracked in the Pacific Ocean, is likely to drive more extreme weather globally. Better ocean observation and modelling are seen as critical tools for anticipating how such large-scale ocean-atmosphere phenomena translate into local impacts on rainfall, temperatures and storm patterns.
Details on the UK’s contribution to the programme, including funding, data-sharing arrangements and the specific research bodies involved, are expected to be set out as the announcement is formalised. Policymakers said the collaboration will aim to accelerate the availability of ocean information to forecasters and decision-makers working on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
International cooperation on ocean science has become increasingly prominent in policy discussions as governments seek to protect coastal communities, manage marine resources and prepare for climate-driven hazards. Joining OceanEye places the UK alongside other European partners pursuing integrated ocean monitoring and modelling to inform both short-term weather forecasts and longer-term climate outlooks.