The United States and China have formally joined the Paris Agreement on Climate change, raising hopes for progress toward stemming the climate degradation around the globe.
The two largest economies account for 38 percent of global emissions, and their formal nod to pursue the accord comes in the hottest year on record – with wide-ranging implications for lives, livelihoods and economic growth trends in several parts of the world.
“With China and the United States making this historic step, we now have 26 countries who have ratified and 39 per cent of global emissions accounted for, to be exact,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.
Adopted by 195 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last December in Paris, the agreement calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future.
It will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.
In the ceremony, which was also attended by China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama, Mr. Ban noted that “we need another 29 countries representing 16 per cent of global emissions to bring this Paris Agreement into force.”
FEATRUED IMAGE above : United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping and United States President Barack Obama at a climate pact ratification ceremony in Hangzhou, China, on 3 September 2016. China and the US deposited their legal instruments for formally joining the Paris Agreement. UN Photo/Eskinder
