The World Economic Forum has highlighted misinformation and disinformation as the biggest short-term risks, while extreme weather and critical change to Earth systems are greatest long-term concern, according to its Global Risks Report 2024.

The report warns that cooperation on urgent global issues, such as the environment, could be in short supply, requiring new approaches and solutions. Two-thirds of global experts surveyed in the report anticipate a multipolar or fragmented order to take shape over the next decade.

The report also highlights a predominantly negative outlook for the world in the short-term that is expected to worsen over the long-term. While 30 per cent of global experts expect an elevated chance of global catastrophes in the next two years, nearly two thirds expect this in the next 10 years.

“An unstable global order characterised by polarising narratives and insecurity, the worsening impacts of extreme weather and economic uncertainty are causing accelerating risks – including misinformation and disinformation – to propagate," said Saadia Zahidi, MD, World Economic Forum. "World leaders must come together to address short-term crises as well as lay the groundwork for a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive future."

Environmental risks continue to dominate the risks landscape over all timeframes. Two-thirds of global experts are worried about extreme weather events in 2024. Extreme weather, critical change to Earth systems, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, natural resource shortages and pollution represent five of the top ten most severe risks perceived to be faced over the next decade. However, expert respondents disagreed on the urgency of risks posed – private sector respondents believe that most environmental risks will materialise over a longer timeframe than civil society or government, pointing to the growing risk of getting past a point of no return.

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