http://www.climatechangenews.com/2016/10/05/paris-climate-deal-will-enter-into-force-on-4-november/

Paris climate deal to enter into force on 4 November3

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Published on 05/10/2016, 5:22pm

Tweet from UN climate chief confirms global pact to curb use of oil, gas and coal will become international law by November1

Christiana Figueres celebrates the Paris climate agreement with Laurence Tubiana (l) and Ban Ki-moon (Pic: UNFCCC/Flickr)

By Ed King

The world’s first comprehensive treaty to address global warming will come into force in early November after receiving enough support from countries to become international law.

Late on Wednesday UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa revealed that a  total of 72 countries accounting for nearly 57% of greenhouse gas emissions had formally joined the pact, which aims to limit temperature rises to well below 2C above pre industrial levels.

The deal required backing from 55 countries covering 55% of emissions to make it international law, and under terms of the agreement it will enter into force in 30 days, just ahead of the 2016 UN climate summit in Marrakech, Morocco.

72 Parties accounting for 56.75% GHG emissions have now ratified the#ParisAgreement! Entry into Force is in 30 days! #COP22pic.twitter.com/usg26FAQOO

— Patricia Espinosa C. (@PEspinosaC) October 5, 2016

With the European Union having approved the bloc’s ratification on Tuesday, Climate Home understands the Paris deal was triggered by the six member states who had already completed their domestic process of approval: France, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and Portugal.

“The speed with which the international community worked to bring the Paris Agreement into force demonstrates unprecedented political momentum for climate action and bodes well for us moving forward,” said Thoriq Ibrahim, Maldives environment minister.

“But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We urge all countries to ratify as soon as possible so we can make the Paris Agreement truly universal-even as we turn our attention to implementation in earnest. It is no exaggeration to say we are in a race against time.”

Two other UN-brokered deals to tackle climate change are expected to be agreed in the coming weeks.

Talks in Montreal to ensure carbon neutral growth  from the aviation sector are into their second week, with over 60 countries including the US, China, EU-28, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates having signalled their enthusiasm for a deal.

Negotiations under the Montreal Protocol will also start in Kigali next week aimed at cutting the use of potent warming gases used as coolants, which left untouched could tip temperatures up 0.5C.

Guterres appointment

The announcement came moments before the UN revealed Portugal’s Antonio Guterres is the choice of the Security Council to replace Ban Ki-moon as secretary general when his term ends in December.

In his mission statement ahead of the selection process Guterres said the Paris Agreement represented a “unique opportunity” to be seized by all governments.

“Achieving these important goals has direct implications for peace and the realization of human needs and fundamental rights. For many it means survival,” he wrote.

Related posts:

1. UN’s Paris climate deal could enter into force this year
2. Paris climate deal on cusp of entering into force this year
3. Paris 2015 climate deal must have legal force – Fabius
4. Paris climate deal close to entry into force after EU vote

Read more on: Climate Politics | COP22