Kelly welcomes EU ratification of Climate Change Agreement

“Members of the European Parliament, representing EU citizens, have voted with a huge majority in favour of the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement today (Tuesday),” said Seán Kelly MEP, the only Irish MEP to represent the Parliament at the COP21 negotiations in Paris last December.

“The support of the Parliament is very significant because the EU accounts for 12 percent of global emissions and today’s ratification effectively means the climate change deal will come into force. It will ensure the deal will make it across the required threshold of nations representing 55 percent of global emissions soon,” Mr Kelly said in Strasbourg.

It is understood that 62 countries representing about 52pc of global emissions have so far ratified the agreement, including the United States and China.

“At COP21 last December, we spoke about ambition and courage in attempting to achieve this historic agreement. The deal, to keep the increase in the average global warming temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius, will help lessen the impact of the most dangerous aspects of climate change.

“We have witnessed the damage to homes, farms, businesses and the environment in Ireland after severe flooding for example. And far more catastrophic consequences of climate change have been felt around the world at a great cost to human life and to the future generations. Failing to take action would be unforgivable and all sectors need to do their best to work towards a more sustainable, low carbon economy in that regard,” the Ireland South MEP commented.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon was present in the European Parliament today when MEPs endorsed the Climate Change agreement to which almost 200 countries are signatories, including Ireland.