22 August 2016: The Government of the Bahamas deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the UN on 22 August. This latest ratification brings the total number of Parties to the UNFCCC that have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval to the Agreement to 23. In total, these countries represent 1.08% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Agreement, which was adopted by the Parties to the UNFCCC in December 2015, has 180 signatories to date. The Agreement will enter into force on the 30th day after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the UNFCCC representing at least 55% of global GHG emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is planning to convene a special event during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in September for countries to deposit their instruments.

Under the Paris Agreement, Parties will make nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate change targets. Each successive NDC is expected to be at least as ambitious as the Party’s previous one. Through these national pledges, Parties aim to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement is also expected to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts). [UNFCCC Press Release] [UNFCCC Paris Agreement – Status of Ratification Website]