U.S. and China Ratify Paris Climate Agreement
September 3rd, 2016
September 3rd, 2016
How Long Ago?
8 years, 6 months, 11 days ago
Location
Hangzhou, China
Category
Politics & Government
People
- Barack Obama
- Xi Jinping
Links & References
Tags
U.S. and China Ratify Paris Climate Agreement
On September 3, 2016, the United States and China, the world’s two largest carbon emitters responsible for 40% of global emissions, formally ratified the Paris Agreement. This historic commitment took place during a summit in Hangzhou, China, where leaders highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change. By joining this international accord, both nations expressed their determination to limit global warming and work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. and China ratified Paris Agreement together.
Commitment aims to limit global warming.
Event took place during G20 summit in Hangzhou.
Both nations account for 40% of global emissions.
What Happened?
The formal ratification of the Paris Agreement by the United States and China marked a significant milestone in global climate governance. Taking place amidst the G20 summit in Hangzhou, this event underlined the critical role both nations play in addressing climate change. Both President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of cooperation in reducing carbon emissions, a commitment reflected in their countries' obligations to the agreement's targets. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aspiration to keep the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Prior to this ratification, discussions had been ongoing about how to engage the largest carbon emitters in global efforts to curb climate change, and the US-China partnership was viewed as essential to the success of the agreement. By formalizing their commitment, both countries not only reinforced their leadership roles in the international climate community but also catalyzed other nations to follow suit. In total, 55 countries needed to account for at least 55% of global emissions to trigger the agreement’s commencement, and the combined ratifications of the U.S. and China contributed greatly towards achieving that threshold.
The Hangzhou summit also allowed for broader discussions on sustainable development and economic growth, further integrating climate policy into global economic strategies. They pledged to promote low-carbon technologies and enhance transparency in emissions reporting—key components needed to foster trust amongst participating nations. The ratification highlighted the interconnectedness of climate actions and economic imperatives, suggesting that climate solutions could also nurture economic opportunities, particularly in renewable energy sectors.
Why Does it Matter?
The ratification of the Paris Agreement by the U.S. and China is significant because it represents a pivotal moment in international climate cooperation. It underscored the vital role of the world's largest economies in combating climate change and set a precedent for global collaboration. By committing to the Paris Agreement, these nations demonstrated that addressing climate change was a shared responsibility, fostering a sense of global unity in the face of environmental challenges.
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