Representing .22 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, New Zealand on Tuesday became the 63rd nation to formally join the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) announced. The Paris Agreement, the first global climate change accord, will enter into force 30 days after 55 nations representing at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession to the U.N.
With the nation count already above the threshold and the global emissions percentage represented at 52.11 percent, entry into force is expected to be triggered this week.
The European Parliament voted Tuesday to allow the European Union to join before all member states have ratified at the domestic level. In total, the 28 EU member states represent 12.1 percent of global emissions, but only seven member states have ratified the agreement domestically at this point. Those nations – Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Malta, and Portugal – are expected to submit their documents of ratification to the U.N. at the same time as the EU presents its document. Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete has suggested the presentation will occur this week.
If only the emissions of those seven nations count toward the 55 percent tracker, they will add 4.57 percent. That would push the ticker to 56.68 percent, triggering entry into force.