European Parliament endorses ratification of the Paris climate agreement

The European Parliament's plenary session endorsed on 4 October 2016 the ratification by the European Union of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement on fighting climate change, which is the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.

The Council of the European Union had already agreed with the ratification on 30 September 2016, and the formal endorsement was now possible following the approval by the Parliament.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on the 5 October 2016 that the Paris Agreement on climate change signed by world leaders in April 2016 would enter into force on 4 November 2016, as enough countries had now signed onto the landmark accord to bring it to the emissions threshold that will trigger its implementation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Paris Agreement on Climate Change [What Think Tanks are Thinking] http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-agreement-on-climate-change-what-think-tanks-are-thinking/

ESO: Background information: The Paris Agreement: A new framework for global climate action http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-paris-agreement-a-new-framework-for-global-climate-action/

European Commission: DG Communication: IP/16/3284, 04.10.16: Paris Agreement to enter into force as EU agrees ratification http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-3284_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/16/3307. 04.10.16: Remarques du Président Jean-Claude Juncker lors de la cérémonie de signature de l'Accord de Paris (COP21) au Parlement européen http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-3307_fr.htm

BBC News, 04.10.16: Paris climate deal: EU backs landmark agreement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37553134

Deutsche Welle, 04.10.16: Paris deal on climate change is sealed as EU ratifies agreement http://dw.com/p/2Qr2T

European Parliament: Press Release, 04.10.16: Paris climate agreement: 'We are working to secure a swift entry into force' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160926STO44015/

EurActiv, 04.10.16: MEPs vote to ratify Paris Agreement http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/meps-vote-to-ratify-the-paris-agreement/

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 04.10.16: Climate change: Council adopts decision for EU ratification of Paris Agreement http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/10/04-adoption-paris-agreement/

EurActiv, 06.10.16: Paris climate accord to take effect on November 4 http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/paris-climate-accord-to-take-effect-on-nov-4/

Politico, 04.10.16: European Parliament and Council ratify climate deal http://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-pushes-climate-deal-toward-the-finish-line/

UK: Parliament: Library: Briefing Paper, No.7718 (05.10.16): Paris Climate Agreement Ratified http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7718/CBP-7718.pdf

UN: News Centre, 05.10.16: With ‘unstoppable’ momentum, Paris climate pact set for early November entry into force – UN chief http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55219

ESO: Background Information: The Commission welcomes entry into force of Paris Agreement ahead of UN climate conference in Marrakech http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-commission-welcomes-entry-into-force-of-paris-agreement-ahead-of-un-climate-conference-in-marrakech/

---