China and the US — responsible for around 40 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions — on Saturday jointly ratified the Paris climate change deal that aims to significantly reduce global emissions, giving hopes that the landmark accord may come into effect by the end of this year.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama, who is on his final visit as President, gave documents to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon here entering their nations into global climate change pact.
Their approval to the agreement came a day ahead of the key summit of G20 nations in Hangzhou, where the leaders of the world’s 20 strong economies will meet.
China and the US together are responsible for around 40 per cent of the world’s emissions so their ratification of the international legal document is viewed crucial.
In a speech in the eastern city of Hangzhou, Obama said the Paris deal was the “single best chance that have to deal with a problem that could end up transforming this planet”.
“We are moving the world significantly towards the goal we have set,” he said, adding that history would show that the Paris deal would “ultimately prove to be a turning point”.
Earlier on Saturday, China’s Parliament ratified the agreement, with President Xi saying his country was “solemnly” committed to the deal. “We need to take an innovative approach to climate change,” he said in Hangzhou.