The Paris Agreement on Climate Change enters into force today

Remarks by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, on the entry into force today of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

UNSG Ban Ki-moon remarks on the entry into force of the Paris Agreement.mp4

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UNSG Ban Ki-moon remarks on the entry into force today of the Paris Agreement. Credits: UN

4 November 2016 Paris Agreement enters into force thanks to EU ratification. Credits: EU

The first-ever universal and legally binding global climate deal enters into force today, less than a year after its adoption, showing that the entire world shares a pressing sense of urgency when it comes to fighting Climate Change, the greatest environmental challenge of our time. Thanks to the EU ratification, the Agreement enters into force in time for the COP 22 Climate Change Conference in Marrakech on 7-18 November.

"A new world of opportunity awaits if we follow more sustainable path, " United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said, "but we need action from all sectors of society – governments, businesses, investors, faith groups, young people and citizens everywhere."

The Commission has welcomed the start of this new era in the history of global climate policy with remarks by Maroš Šefčovič , Vice-President in charge of the Energy Union, and Miguel Arias Cañete , Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy.

Vice-President Šefčovič stated that inaction is not an option when it comes to facing risks linked to Climate Change and slowing down is not the EU course of action. "We are ready to seize this momentum to speed up work on the clean energy transition, in our Union and globally. We are ready to work at all levels, including the local level, to bring the benefits of this transition to our citizens," he added.

As for Commissioner Cañete, he remarked that today is a great day for Europe and for the Earth. "I am delighted that the EU's ratification has enabled the Paris Agreement to enter into force in time for our meeting in Marrakech. We must maintain this extraordinary momentum by encouraging countries to continue ratifying the deal, and by moving full steam ahead with our preparations to put it into action across the world. Marrakech will be about action and implementation. It's time for results."

According to a special Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament, two thirds of people in the EU would like to see an even stronger EU commitment on environmental protection.

The EU’s ratification of the Paris Agreement enabled it to enter into force today by fulfilling the second criterion of covering at least 55% of global emissions. It sets out a global action plan to fight Climate Change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C. It was agreed by 195 countries at the Paris climate conference, COP21, in December 2015.

Climate Change