This thematic brief is part of a four-part series by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) which highlights lessons learned from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) special report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (known as SREX). It summarises the key findings of the report relevant to water resources and management drawing exclusively on material from SREX. The brief includes an assessment of the science and the implications for society and sustainable development. The brief is intended for policymakers, decision-makers and planners, locally, nationally and regionally. It makes suggestions for immediate action to avoid further damage from climate extremes and to build a more resilient future with benefits that go beyond water management.