It’s a simple fact that as we continue to pump record levels of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere we are ramping up disaster risk around the globe now and for generations to come. It goes with the sobering reality of warming and rising seas and widespread changes in the Earth’s systems that are influencing storms, winds and rainfall.

Attended by Ministers from 35 countries, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue took place from 22-23 May 2017, in Berlin, Germany. Participants discussed measures needed for the complete, effective and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement in the face of new challenges in a multilateral world. Along with adaptation to climate change, the talks focused on national long-term strategies and development paths towards a greenhouse gas (GHG)-neutral global economy.

Climate negotiations just concluded in Bonn demonstrated that countries are fully committed to continue global climate action and implement the Paris Agreement.

Ahead of this week's G7 summit in Sicily, our editorial team spoke with Pier Carlo Sandei, UNEP’s Advisor to the Italian G7 Presidency, about the ongoing preparations and the role of environmental topics within the G7.

While diplomats in Bonn work on the operating manual for the Paris Agreement, Washington ponders withdrawing from climate action.

The Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarama, as incoming President of the UN Climate Change Conference in autumn in Bonn (COP23, 6-17 November), addressed delegates on the final day of the May UN Climate Change Conference in the former German capital. In his address, he set out his vision for Fiji's Presidency of COP23. During his speech, the new Presidency COP23 website was launched, and a powerful video showing the impacts of climate change on Fiji was screened (see below). These are his remarks as prepared for delivery.