23 June 2016: Norway first European country to sign the Paris Climate Agreement
On 23 June, Norway became the first European country to ratify The Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a document based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was negotiated by representatives of 195 countries and finally adopted on 12 December 2015. On 22 April 2016, it was opened for ratification. It enters into force when 55 members ratify it and will replace the current Kyoto Protocol.
The treaty has been signed by 177 UNFCCC members. However, so far only 18 of them have ratified it. Amongst them are Somalia, Palestine and from today, Norway. Together they are only responsible for 0.18% of global gases emissions, showing the slow pace of the ratification process.
The Paris Agreement concerns greenhouse gases emissions and its mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in the year 2020.
