COP21 Paris climate agreement reaches threshold for entry into force

by Brianna Crandall — October 17, 2016 — As of October 5, 72 parties accounting for 56.75% of global greenhouse gas emissions have joined the climate agreement negotiated at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, meeting the requirement of at least 55 parties representing 55% of global emissions needed for the Paris Agreement to enter into force, reports the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

As a result, the far-reaching agreement will go into effect on November 4, 2016, just days before the 22nd Conference of the Parties starts in Marrakech, Morocco, on November 7.

“Passing the threshold for the Paris Agreement’s entry into force is a historic moment,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, “marking a new era of global consensus on climate change action. This agreement will further accelerate development of a multi-trillion dollar market for clean energy technology solutions that reduce heat-trapping emissions.

“While the agreement’s entry into force is cause for celebration, our work has just begun. The central challenge for this new era will be to accelerate the deployment of energy technologies, develop new innovative low-carbon solutions quickly, meet the goals our nations have declared before the world, and encourage even greater ambition.”