US and China to Sign Paris Climate Deal in April
China and the United States, the world’s two leading carbon polluters, said on Thursday they planned to formally join the Paris climate agreement in 2016.
In a joint statement, the major powers agreed to sign the historic deal to cut carbon emissions at a UN ceremony in April, and take “respective domestic steps” to approve it as “early as possible this year.”
The countries’ support brings the pact struck last December much closer to coming into force, and marking their commitment to drive efforts to slash greenhouse gases.
Over 55% of global carbon emissions and 55 countries must formally join for it to apply from 2020. China and the US account for about 40%.
Brian Deese, special adviser on climate change to President Obama said swift approval would keep efforts to curb emissions on track.
Justin Sloan