Issue Systems approaches needed beyond climate for highly connected risks

Summary

In the report's cross-cutting analysis, terrorism, cyber security and climate change share second place for the total number of connections. The report explains that it is already widely accepted that tackling the effects of climate change requires a holistic systems approach. In its judgement, the analysis shows that a similar approach is needed for a range of other chronic risks. The report holds that chronic risks do not act alone but interact with other chronic and acute risks, gradually eroding the economy, environment, way of life and national security. Mitigating them therefore requires coordination across government departments and cooperation with a resilience community spanning industry and academia. The risk with the most connections overall is state threats, driven by its many direct links to acute risks.