BONN/WASHINGTON (May 18, 2017)—The latest round of climate negotiations concluded in Bonn, Germany today. Negotiators made important progress on fleshing out an outline for guidelines that will help turn the Paris Agreement into action on the ground.

Following is a statement from Paula Caballero, Global Director, Climate Program, World Resources Institute:

“In Bonn, negotiators worked constructively to successfully hammer out an outline for the operating manual that will help turn the Paris Agreement into action on the ground.

“Through actions and words, negotiators demonstrated here that the Paris Agreement is alive and well. The uncertainty swirling around the United States’ participation in the Paris Agreement did not slow progress in Bonn. If anything, countries were emboldened to move forward with more determination and show that international climate action will not be swayed by the shifting political winds of any one country.

“Delegates moved the ball forward on all fronts, with some negotiating tracks maturing faster than others, as was expected. By the conclusion, there was clear consensus that the UN climate talks must send a clear signal next year that countries will put forward even stronger climate commitments by 2020.

“The next opportunity to demonstrate global leadership on climate change is the G7 Summit next week. Coming on the heels of the positive tone set in Bonn and a huge outpouring of support for the Paris Agreement from businesses, cities and governments, there is no question that climate change will be the hot topic for the G7 leaders to grapple with.

“Climate change has been cited as a priority in every single G7 and G8 communique over the last decade. G7 leaders must stick to that tradition and add to the momentum towards a more prosperous and climate-resilient world. The Paris Agreement has fundamentally shifted the barometer for what the global community considers acceptable leadership on climate change.”