ASRA (the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment) is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Tovey as Director of Nature-Centric Approaches. Starting in March 2025, Phil will lead ASRA's efforts to integrate non-human sanctity, inherent value, and agency into systemic risk assessment and response. This role recognizes that incorporating nature into risk analysis goes beyond environmental stewardship or human self-interest—nature is both inherently valuable and a powerful ally in risk reduction.
This appointment comes at a critical moment when global biodiversity loss has reached unprecedented levels, and the world approaches dangerous tipping points, such as the loss of mountain glaciers, global die-off of coral reefs, collapse of the Amazon rainforest, and the mass extinction of pollinators and disappearance of apex predators in the natural world. These events will have significant cascading effects, from increasing the risk of food and water insecurity to the emergence of pandemics, amongst others.
Phil joins ASRA from the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), where he serves as Head of Futures in the Central Science Division. At Defra, he has led pioneering foresight research on critical environmental challenges, including Abrupt Sunlight Reduction Scenarios, transformational change, and global ecosystem collapse.
His deep commitment to foregrounding and advancing non-human concerns is demonstrated through his work exploring interspecies democracy within the UK water system, environmental ethics in technology assessments and preventing catastrophic harm to animals and plants from novel biological threats. Also a former Royal Marines Commando, Phil brings a unique perspective on operating in and working with diverse ecosystems.
“Phil's appointment marks an exciting step forward in ASRA's commitment to rethinking how we understand and respond to global risks," says Ruth Richardson, Executive Director of ASRA. “His unique combination of real-world experience and deep ecological understanding will be invaluable as we work to embed nature-centric approaches into global risk assessment and radically rethink decision-making in today’s polycrisis.”
Commenting on his appointment, Phil Tovey said: "It is with a great sense of responsibility and duty that I take on this pioneering role with ASRA. The evidence is clear; transformational change is now critical, not optional. Systemic risk assessment and responses therefore must have at their core the principle of non-human sanctity and the interconnectedness of all life, if we are to step back from the precipice.”
“I feel really privileged to be able to work with the wonderful ASRA team and network, and to collaborate with the growing community of scientists, entrepreneurs, academics, activists and artists already demonstrating the promise of nature-centric approaches,” he continued.
An initiative supported by the UN Foundation, ASRA is a global network radically rethinking risk as a way to address current and future crises.
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About ASRA: ASRA (the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment) aims to mainstream systemic risk assessment in policy and decision-making in response to current and future challenges. Hosted by the United Nations Foundation, this independent non-profit initiative advances the field and practice of systemic risk, and advocates for transformative action for the prosperity of all people, societies, species, and ecosystems. Learn more at: www.asranetwork.org
About the UN Foundation: For 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global challenges at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.