In order to address complex risk and resilience problems, SYRR implements Risk&Resilience Labs. These collaborative spaces support co-generation exercises for research, policy and practice. They proceed in transdisciplinary mode building on quantitative and qualitative research methods for creating enhanced insight and impact.
Current Risk&Resilience labs:
Limits to adaptation-Expert workshop
Human-induced climate change is already causing extensive disruptions to ecological and social systems, affecting billions of lives and livelihoods. While efforts to manage risks and adapt to these changes have increased, adaptation has its limits, especially in a warming world. Despite growing attention to this challenge, there is still incomplete understanding of how these adaptation limits emerge within socio-ecological systems. This lab held by the APEIRON initiative in 2024, a collaboration between the Universities of Helsinki, Zurich, and Fribourg, along with GERICS and IIASA, sought to explore the boundaries of climate adaptation in socio-ecological systems and translate insights into actionable directions for policy and practice.
Resilience in the Loss&Damage space: Expert-elicitation workshop
"Loss and Damage" negotations have gained significant momentum with science playing an important role. COP27 and COP28 decisions established a fund to support vulnerable countries and led to further agreement on Loss and Damage funding arrangements, yet many issues remain unclear, including the role and scope of funding. IIASA in 2024 brought together a diverse group of experts from research, policy and practice to develop an expert opinion on what a reasonable qualitative and quantitative range for Loss&Damage needs could be. The lab is further proceeding as a 3-step elicitation process. Planned outputs include papers, policy briefs, and side events at UNFCCC meetings.
Project site
COP29 insight
Publication
Multi-hazard and complex risk
SYRR convened a diverse group of regional stakeholders from the Danube Region to co-create forward-looking multi-risk pathways for the Danube Region. The Resilience Lab facilitated discussions on multi-hazard risk management in the Danube Region, focusing on agriculture and river navigation. Using MYRIAD-EU’s adaptive policy pathways, stakeholders explored cross-sectoral adaptation options. Their active involvement ensured lasting impact beyond the project.
Another lab event is planned in fall 2025
Project site
Publications 1 and 2
Polycrisis and systemic risk
As multiple risks interact and shocks proliferate across geographies and sectors, the concept of Polycrisis has come to the fore, which describes interwoven and overlapping crises that cannot be understood or resolved in isolation. In 2024 Beijing Normal University and IIASA co-hosted a a symposium on Polycrises and Systemic risks. IIASA is planning to host a lab with focus on risk and resilience methods and evidence that enhances understanding and action on Polycrisis manifestations.