This paper, by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) builds on the recently produced ‘The future framework for disaster risk reduction: a guide for decision-makers’. This new module brings together evidence on opportunities raised by adopting an inclusive approach to ensure effective DRR. The paper makes the case for increased attention to wider issues of vulnerability, inclusion and empowerment, which are needed to assist policy-makers and international agencies to negotiate the successor agreement to the HFA.