Overview
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an independent intergovernmental organisation established in 1975. It was created to develop and operate numerical weather prediction systems for medium-range weather forecasting at a global scale. The organisation’s core purpose is to provide accurate weather forecasts and climate data to support decision-making by governments, industry, and the scientific community. ECMWF operates on a collaborative model, pooling expertise and resources from its member and cooperating states.
Mission and focus areas
ECMWF’s mission is to produce world-leading numerical weather forecasts and climate information through research, innovation, and operational excellence. Its work focuses on atmospheric modelling, data assimilation, Earth system science, and high-performance computing. The organisation plays a significant role in climate risk assessment by delivering datasets used to analyse physical climate risks, extreme weather events, and long-term climate trends. These outputs are increasingly relevant to sustainable finance, ESG integration, and climate-related financial disclosures, particularly through their use in climate stress testing and scenario analysis.
Structure and governance
ECMWF is governed by a Council representing its member and cooperating states, which sets overall strategy and approves budgets. Day-to-day operations are led by a Director-General and senior management team. The organisation is structured into specialised departments covering forecasting, research, computing, and user services. It also works closely with European institutions and national meteorological services through formal partnerships and collaborative programmes.
Programs and offerings
ECMWF delivers global operational weather forecasts, seasonal outlooks, and climate reanalysis datasets that are widely used across science, policy, and finance. Flagship datasets, including long-term reanalyses, support climate trend analysis and physical risk modelling. The organisation is a key implementing partner for the Copernicus Climate Change Service, providing open-access climate data and indicators. ECMWF also offers training, technical documentation, and scientific publications, enabling practitioners to apply advanced climate and weather information in risk management and sustainability-related decision-making.
ECMWF’s core mission is to:
- produce numerical weather forecasts and monitor the Earth system
- carry out scientific and technical research to improve forecast skill
- maintain an archive of meteorological data
