Update On The Paris Climate Agreement Signing And Ratification Process.

Features

In our previous article on the ratification process of the Paris agreement we highlighted the agreement being opened for signature on 22 April 2016 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary General in New York. At that ceremony, 174 States and the European Union signed the agreement and 15 States also deposited their instruments of ratification. As of 25 July 2016, there are 178 signatories to the Paris Agreement.  Of these, 20 States have also deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval accounting in total for 0.40 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the point at which the agreement comes to force?

In accordance with Article 21, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement, the Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary.

If a member state is wishing to sign the agreement where should they turn to?

They should contact the Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs.The Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs provides technical assistance to Parties regarding international procedures for ratification, acceptance, approval and accession. Further information, including the Treaty Handbook, which contains model instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval and accession.

Did you know?

Ratifying countries to the agreement can independently decide on how to lower their emissions. This is a critical factor; previous attempts at a climate deal required that similar measures be adopted by all signing parties. However, because economies, cultures, and nations differ so greatly, a common denominator was hard to determine and, therefore, achieve. Allowing ratifying countries to determine the best way forward for them, individually, galvanized support for the agreement.

Who has deposited their instruments of ratification?

Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Norway, Palau, Palestine, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, ,Samoa ,Seyshells ,Somalia, Tuvalu. Peru was the last country to deposit their instruments of ratification yesterday (25th July)

We earnestly look forward to see maximum deposition of instruments of ratification by the kick-off date of UNFCCC COP 22 in Morocco.