US, China ratify Paris climate deal

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. and China officially ratified a pivotal climate accord Saturday in a move the U.S. described as a “milestone” in the “legacy of climate leadership” of President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking in China, ahead of the upcoming G20 leaders summit in Hangzhou, Obama said, “history will judge today’s efforts as pivotal.”

“Despite our differences on other issues, we hope that our willingness to work together on this issue will inspire greater ambition and greater action around the world,” he said at the West Lake State House. “This is not a fight that any one country, no matter how powerful, can take alone.”

Obama said he and Xi would continue to work together “to make sure our countries lead on climate change.”

The presidents handed over signed “instruments” to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, marking their formal entrance into the emissions-cutting plan.

Combined, China and the U.S. are responsible for approximately 40 percent of total carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are one of the main drivers of climate change.

The U.S. and China's early entry into the agreement unexpectedly increases the pace of the pact's original timeline and could mean it goes into effect before year’s end.

More than 190 countries adopted the Paris agreement last December as the international community seeks to combat climate change.

Other countries are expected to ratify the agreement later this month during UN Climate Change week Sept. 19-25. Currently, only about 25 countries have ratified the treaty.

The Paris accord will go into force only after 55 countries ratify the agreement. Those countries must also account for at least 55 percent of global emissions.

The second requirement will be the major hurdle as most of the other countries that have ratified tend to be smaller countries with relatively low carbon emissions.