The United States and China, together the world’s biggest carbon emitters, on Saturday ratified the Paris Agreement. World leaders lauded this as a major step for the fight against climate change, noting that both the US and China will help lead the fight.
Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim hailed this as a huge achievement and welcomed both countries. In a tweet he posted following China’s ratification of the agreement, Thoriq said the decision gives strong impetus to international efforts against global warming. He called it a big boost to efforts to bring the accord into effect by the end of the year.
tw:https://twitter.com/EnvGovMv/status/772082885910159360
Later on, speaking to PSM News, Thoriq said “it is imperative that other nations follow the US and China, and join the accord”. Noting that together the US and China account to nearly 40% of the world’s emissions, Thoriq said “ratification of the agreement by China and the US brings the agreement substantially closer to the 55% emissions threshold needed for the agreement to be implemented”.
tw:https://twitter.com/Thoriqibrahim/status/771922444588355584
img:http://s3.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14680030455915.jpg|US President Barack Obama - FILE Photo: Xinhua
The US and China, two of the world’s biggest economies and carbon emitters, signed the Paris Agreement prior to the G20 Summit that is set to kick off in China Sunday. Following ratification, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged other countries to follow the China’s lead. US President Barack Obama described the agreement as “the single best chance to save the planet”, and assured that the US will work closely with China over the next few months to make sure both countries lead on climate.
The Paris agreement has been signed by 180 countries, but a further step is needed for it to become law, with at least ratification of 55 countries accounting for 55% of global emissions needed. Today’s announcement brings the total countries to 26 and the portion of emissions caught by the agreement soared from 1.1% to 39.1%, Climate Home reported. With 32 other countries having made commitments to ratify the agreement this year, the agreement looks set to become international law before the end of 2016.