India, the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, on Sunday ratified the landmark Paris climate deal, giving a major boost to the deal which appeared tantalisingly close to enter into force by the end of this year.
Landmark pact set to come into force by year-end
PTI
UNITED NATIONS
Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin handed over the Instrument of Ratification signed by President Pranab Mukherjee, to Santiago Villalpando, the Head of the Treaties Division at the UN, at a special ceremony here attended by top UN officials and senior diplomats to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 147th birth anniversary.
“Bringing the Paris Agreement on climate change ever closer to its entry into force, India joined the new global accord at the United Nations Headquarters and became the 62nd country to deposit its legal instrument of ratification,” the world body said in a statement.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lauded India’s “climate leadership”, saying India’s ratification of the Paris Climate agreement moves the world an “important step closer” toward achieving the goal of entering the landmark deal into force this year.
In his message for the International Day of Non-violence, marked every year on Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Ban said there is no better way to commemorate Gandhi and his legacy for people and the planet than with India submitting its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
He called on all countries to complete their domestic processes for ratification and also strive in all activities to achieve progress through non-violence.
The UN chief said the commitment to sustainable living that Gandhi emphasised on is reflected in a “momentous way” as India is depositing its instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“India keeps its promise. On Gandhiji’s birth anniversary, we deposit the instrument of ratification of Paris Agreement on climate change,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
With India stressing on the importance of climate justice, its goal will be that “climate justice ends are also served” once the treaty comes into force, Akbaruddin said.
The ratification by India, is expected to give momentum to the implementation of measures at the international level.
