With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is especially vulnerable to climate risks, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) will be severely compromised if ‘climate proofing’ or adaptation interventions are inadequate. This concept paper argues that if climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks are implemented in a systematic and integrated manner, they could become an effective and practical way to manage climate risks and build resilience. Due to existing synergies, integration would avoid the duplication of efforts and streamline administrative structures. The paper provides: background information on climate risks in Indonesia; describes the CCA and DRR frameworks and the concept of climate risk management (CRM); discusses advantages and challenges of adopting the CRM methodology; reviews examples and good practices of projects that incorporate both CCA and DRR; and highlights entry points for a joint CCA/DRR approach in Indonesia.