French Environment Minister Segolene Royal, who heads the body behind the Paris accord, told AFP earlier in the week that she hoped it would come into force before the next United Nations climate meeting on Nov 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco.
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As a major climate change advocate, the United Nations chief pledged to make fighting climate change a top priority when he took office almost 10 years ago.
To become law, the accord must be approved by at least 55 nations and those nations must collectively be responsible for at least 55% of the climate-altering emissions.
According to the agreement, in order to get into force at least 55 countries should ratify it and these countries should be representing the 55 percent of global emissions.
“We need 7.5 percent more”, Ban declared. That means more countries must sign on before the agreement can take force. So it’s well over.
The United States “can and must be a major player in developing innovative solutions to the problem of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases”, the scientists said. I thank the 31 countries who have deposited their instruments with me today.
I am confident that, by the time I leave office, the Paris Agreement will have entered into force.
Ratification by 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions is required for entry into force of the agreement. But the second threshold requires those signatories to represent 55 percent of global emissions and they fall a little short.
During meetings in France in December, almost 200 countries agreed to take steps to fight global warming under a new pact, such as by protecting forests and replacing coal power generation with cleaner alternatives.
The Paris Agreement asks both rich and poor countries to take action to curb the rise in global temperatures that is melting glaciers, raising sea levels and shifting rainfall patterns across the globe.
While the two biggest polluters – China and US – had joined the Agreement early this month, the third biggest polluter India, accounting for 4.1% of the global emission, is expected to ratify it sometime next year.
The next immediate steps are that countries must now move to adopt measures in the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization and support the amendment to the Montreal Protocol that will see further global action on capping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If the US “exits” the agreements, the goal of limiting global warming to a 1.5 °C increase will be impossible, as the increase in temperature will surely surpass the 1.5 °C mark, as one of the most influential nations promoting the agreements would just relinquish its responsibility.
He also lauded him for galvanising the political will that led to the global consensus in reaching the Paris Agreement.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says it is crucial that the deal comes into effect soon.
He charged other African countries to mobilise all other stakeholders and fight climate change to reduce the harmful effects of on the world. He stressed that it was to demonstrate his personal dedication to the process of implementing the Agreement that he was hosting the side event on Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development.
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“It (ratification) places you in a favourable position to negotiate for funds and it is better for us since we bear the brunt of the climate change, we will benefit”, she said.
