UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks the United Nations during the Entry into Force of the Paris Agreement September 21, 2016 at the United Nations in NY.
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Brazil’s President Michel Temer, left, delivers his country’s ratification instrument to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at a high-level event on the entry into force of the Paris Agreement on climate change during.
The treaty’s ratification has taken place at what is considered a blistering pace for worldwide diplomacy, reflecting a sense of urgency in the fight against global warming and a desire to seal the deal before Ban and U.S. President Barack Obama leave office.
To come into force, the Paris agreement needs ratification from 55 countries that account for at least 55 percent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Morocco are expected to hand over documents at the U.N.in NY on Wednesday to formally complete the ratification process. “This is testament to the urgency of the crisis we all face”.
“This is a very encouraging start, but we call on all countries to join the Paris Agreement as soon as possible”.
The Paris accord received a major boost earlier this month when China and the United States – the two top emitters – both committed to it during a summit. It will likely take a bit longer to reach 55 percent of world emissions.
A large group of the nation’s top scientists penned an open letter railing against Donald Trump for his stance on climate change and his suggestion that the US walk away from the landmark Paris climate agreement.
Pershing said the haste comes down to the fact that “this is a problem that can’t wait”.
‘The momentum is remarkable, ‘ said the outgoing United Nations chief, who convened a meeting on the Paris accord during the annual United Nations gathering of leaders. Without immediate action, scientists say, the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global temperature rise below 2°C (3.6°F) by 2100 will be effectively impossible, scientists say.
Ban’s office said that 14 other countries accounting for 12.58 percent of emissions had signaled they would ratify the accord this year, meaning the agreement is virtually certain to come into force, barring a widespread change of heart.
The Confederation of British Industry welcomed the UK’s commitment to the deal and said business would need to work with government to develop a “clear and credible” plan to meet the country’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he is confident of reaching the magic number before the next United Nations climate conference, which starts November 7 in Marrakech, Morocco.
The European Union will enter the agreement ‘in the next weeks, ‘ Miguel Arias Canete, the 28-member bloc’s commissioner for climate action and energy, told reporters.
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“We can not wait”, said Maldives Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, who chairs an alliance of small island states.
