Representing .45 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the nation of Cameroon on Friday submitted to the United Nations its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The African nation is the 21st to do so.
Entry into force of the Paris Agreement is a three-step process requiring parties to adopt, then sign, and then ratify the accord. Nearly 200 nations in December adopted the deal at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. More than 175 countries went on to sign the agreement in April in New York, and now nations have begun the process of ratification. The agreement will take effect 30 days after 55 nations representing at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions deposit their instruments of ratification.
Cameroon is the most significant GHG contributor to ratify the agreement to date. Its inclusion brings the percentage of global emissions represented to .85 percent.
The U.N. recently announced it will host a special event on Sept. 21 at its headquarters in New York to give nations an opportunity to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession to the Paris Agreement.
The agreement is expected to enter into force in late 2016 or 2017.
