European Parliament ratifies global climate deal

Commenting on today’s breakthrough news that the European Parliament has voted to approve the ratification of the Paris Agreement, Michael Grubb, Professor of International Energy and Climate Change Policy, UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, said:

“The EU’s ratification, following those of US, China and India, means that the Paris Agreement will enter into force this year – a historic step in reducing the real threat of climate change.

“This is a remarkable achievement given the normal slow pace of international diplomacy. It has doubtless been energised also by the continuing bad scientific news, of almost unprecedented global temperatures and ice melt. 

“The earlier action is taken, the better the chance of avoiding the worst of impacts, and the cheaper it will be – so the early entry-into-force is great news. China is already acting and its emissions are turning around; all nations now need to get on and implement the agreement’s steps, and prepare for strengthening their efforts at the first review and revision stage of 2018-2020.”

Please direct any enquiries to Alexander Blackburn, UCL BSEER Communications Manager, on a.blackburn@ucl.ac.uk or 0203 108 9860