6 Oct (NucNet) The Paris Agreement on climate change is expected to enter into force after the European Parliament approved its ratification by the European Union, a statement by the European Commission said on 5 October 2016. The decision means the European Council, comprising the heads of state of the EU’s 28 member countries, can formally adopt the agreement, the statement said. According to the EC, yesterday’s decision concludes the ratification process at EU level and all member states can now ratify the agreement individually. The EC said that 62 parties, accounting for almost 52% of global CO2 emissions, had ratified the agreement. It will come into force 30 days after ratification by at least 55 parties, representing at least 55% of global CO2 emissions. The EC said the EU’s ratification means the 55% emissions threshold will be exceeded, triggering the agreement’s entry into force. However, in a statement on 6 October 2016 the Paris-based International Energy Agency said there are now 74 parties, representing 60% of global CO2 emissions, which have ratified the agreement. The IEA said along with the European Union, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia also announced their ratification yesterday. India, New Zealand and Canada ratified the agreement earlier this week. The Paris Agreement was approved by 197 countries at COP21 in December 2015. According to information on the United Nations website, China and the US ratified the agreement on 3 September 2016.
