This report is a summary of the 'Special report on managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation' (SREX) from an African perspective. The report was compiled over two and a half years by over 200 expert authors taking into account almost 19,000 comments. It assesses the science and implications of extreme weather trends and how climate extremes, humans and the environment interact to influence disaster impacts and risk management. The summary assesses changing disaster risks and possible future impacts. It discusses the management of climate change and disaster risk, concluding with implications for decision-makers in Africa. Highlighting the example of Mozambique, the report shows how comparable floods and occurring pre- and post-disaster risk strategy implementation had drastically different consequences (700 killed compared to only 29 respectively). The importance of strong institutional capacity and preparedness is crucial; the paper warns that many countries are severely lacking in this respect. The report identifies the following ten key messages.

Disaster risk will continue to increase in many African countries as the number of vulnerable people and assets grow.
Evidence suggests that some regions are already experiencing changed magnitude and frequency of extreme weather events.
Year-to-year variation will remain a more significant factor than any upward trends for at least the next decade or two.
Uncertainty remains high for some regions and extremes, for instance precipitation trends across the African continent.
Greater vulnerability and more severe and frequent extremes could increasingly impact living and working conditions in vulnerable places, such as coastal cities.
More emphasis should be placed on anticipation and risk reduction.
Existing risk management measures need to be improved.
Countries’ capacity to meet challenges is determined by the effectiveness of their national risk management systems.
Fundamental adjustments are needed in the most vulnerable areas.
Any delay in greenhouse gas mitigation is likely to lead to greater disaster losses.