6 September 2016
China, US and Cook Islands Join Paris Agreement
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The Cook Islands (on 1 September), and China and the US (on 3 September) have deposited their legal instruments for joining the Paris Agreement with the UN.

With these three countries, a total of 26 Parties to the UNFCCC have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Agreement, representing 39.06% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

cook_us_china3 September 2016: The Cook Islands (on 1 September), and China and the US (on 3 September) have deposited their legal instruments for joining the Paris Agreement with the UN. With these three countries, a total of 26 Parties to the UNFCCC have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Agreement, representing 39.06% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Speaking at an acceptance ceremony for the Chinese and American legal instruments, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked the countries’ presidents for their “far-sighted, collaborative leadership” and the momentum they are contributing toward possible early entry into force of the Agreement. Ban is planning to convene a high-level event on 21 September for countries to deposit their instruments.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa added her thanks, noting that the Paris Agreement is “an agreement on which rests the opportunity for a sustainable future for every nation and every person.”

The Agreement, which was adopted by the Parties to the UNFCCC in December 2015, has 180 signatories. 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.

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. 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).

In conjunction with their joint acceptance of the Paris Agreement, the US and China also announced joint efforts to curb aviation emissions under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and to accelerate the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol. ICAO will consider approval of a market-based mechanism (MBM) at its Assembly meeting, which is scheduled to take place from 27 September – 7 October. The US and China stated their intention to participate in an early pilot of the MBM if the measure is approved. They also expressed their agreement that the “freeze” date on HFCs under the Montreal Protocol should be set sooner rather than later to expedite the phase-down of the substance. [UNFCCC Press Release on Cook Islands] [UNFCCC Press Release on China and US] [UN Secretary-General Remarks] [UNFCCC Paris Agreement – Status of Ratification Website] [US State Department Press Statement]


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