The European Parliament (EP) has brought the Paris Agreement one step closer to implementation with the approval of its ratification by the European Union today.
The ratification of the Paris Agreement was approved in the presence of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the United Nation’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the President of COP 21 Ségolène Royal, today, October 4.
With today’s approval by the EP, the Council can formally adopt the decision. In parallel, the EU Member States will ratify the Paris Agreement individually, in accordance with their national parliamentary processes, the European Commission has informed.
EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete , said: “Our collective task is to turn our commitments into action on the ground. And here Europe is ahead of the curve. We have the policies and tools to meet our targets, steer the global clean energy transition and modernise our economy. The world is moving and Europe is in a driver’s seat, confident and proud of leading the work to tackle climate change.”
Jean-Claude Juncker , European Commission President, said: “Today the European Union turned climate ambition into climate action. The Paris Agreement is the first of its kind and it would not have been possible were it not for the European Union.”
So far, 62 parties, accounting for almost 52% of global emissions have ratified the Paris Agreement . The Agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 parties, representing at least 55% of global emissions have ratified.
The EU ratification and deposit will cross the 55% emission threshold and therefore trigger the entry into force of the Paris Agreement.