Norway on Monday submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change its instrument of ratification for the Paris climate change agreement, becoming the first European nation to do so — through France is right on its heels, having ratified the agreement on June 15. Until the French instrument of ratification is deposited with the UNFCCC, however, the nation does not count toward the organization’s running tally for entering into force.
The 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 UNFCCC in Paris. 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.
Norway is the 18th nation to ratify the agreement and brings the tally of emissions to .18 percent. Once France’s instrument makes its way to the UNFCCC that total will be 1.52 percent.
The agreement is expected to enter into force in late 2016 or 2017.
