The paper examines two historical global food–energy crises, highlighting the limitations of traditional risk management approaches in addressing today’s complex and interconnected global risks. The authors propose a methodological framework for assessing systemic risks in a global polycrisis context, which includes exploring system architectures, considering transformational responses away from risks, and applying cross-cutting practices. They argue that a standardised yet modular and flexible procedure could be critical for preparing for, adapting to, and mitigating future systemic crises, while enabling a transition to a future where such crises are less likely and less severe.
A Systemic Risk Assessment Methodological Framework for the Global Polycrisis

Author(s)
Ajay Gambhir, Michael J. Albert, Sylvanus S. P. Doe, Jonathan F. Donges, Nadim Farajalla, Leandro L. Giatti, Haripriya Gundimeda, Sarah Hendel-Blackford, Thomas Homer-Dixon, Daniel Hoyer, Sumaya Adan, David Jacome-Polit, Luke Kemp, David Korowicz, Zora Kovacic, Jan Kwakkel, Laurie Laybourn, Robert Lempert, Ayan Mahamoud, Tom H. Oliver, Ivana E. Pavkova, Joseph Ponnoly, Vishwas Satgar, Megan Shipman, Jana Sillmann, Nick Silver, Samuel Stevenson & Ruth Richardson
Publication Date
14 August 2025
Publisher
nature
DOI / URL

Resource Type
Academic Journal Article
Systems Addressed
Energy • Food
Resource Theme
Catastrophic and Existential Risk • Learning resource • Theory Building