According to this paper, good ecosystems management is critical for managing climate extremes and disasters. It plays three positive roles: delivery of ecosystem-based adaptation; delivery of co-benefits for livelihoods and biodiversity conservation; and support for climate mitigation. Healthy ecosystems, whether natural or modified, have a critical role to play through adaptation by reducing the risk of impacts from climate extremes and disasters on human society. Investment in sustainable ecosystem management has, thus, the potential to provide improved livelihoods and wellbeing. 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).