The latest shindig to progress international action on climate change has concluded in Bonn. According to the official website, the event was a “launch pad for higher ambition”. You can read about specific commitments made, relating to finance, coordinating action, corporate commitments and government ratifications.

There is good analysis in the Guardian, including the 19 countries pledging to phase out coal.

The US government was present (to promote coal), although a coalition of states, cities and businesses made their presence felt and signed up ‘America’s Pledge’.

The international water community co-signed what it called a “nature based solution declaration” to encourage the use of natural systems in managing healthy water supplies. Around 40 per cent of the world’s population will face water shortages by 2050, accelerating migration and triggering conflict, while some regions could lose up to six per cent of their economic output, unless it is better managed.

Elsewhere, the World Water Council reported that financial investment into water infrastructure needs to triple to €255bn annually to combat climate change and meet sanitation targets.