Climate change: Paris Agreement comes into force

Agreement was ratified by more than 80 countries, including Pakistan

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change will come into force on Friday, less than a year after its adoption in Paris. The development takes place a few days ahead of the start of COP-22 in Marrakesh.

A press release stated that the swiftness of this process was unprecedented. It added no other multilateral treaty of such prominence had been ratified by as many countries in a short span of time. The agreement was ratified by more than 80 states, accounting jointly for more than 60 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

On the occasion, Ambassador of France to Pakistan Martine Dorance welcomed Pakistan’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on November 2. “It is an extremely positive sign as it reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the fight against climate change one year after the Paris COP21 and just a few days before the next international Conference, COP22, starts in Marrakesh.

I also welcome the announcements of the Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on the adoption of a new national contribution and Pakistan’s climate change bill.”

She continued that France will stay committed as it is time to implement the agreement. “Marrakesh will be the first follow-up conference to the Paris Agreement and will be devoted to climate action.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2016.