EU environment ministers agreed Friday to fast-track the ratification of the landmark Paris agreement on climate change, despite the fact that some national parliaments have yet to approve the deal.
"All member states greenlight early EU ratification of Paris agreement. What some believed impossible is now real," European Union President Donald Tusk said on Twitter.
"Victory!" tweeted French Environment Minister Segolene Royal.
Fears that the United States and China, the world's two biggest polluters, were leaving the EU behind on ratifying last year's historic deal pushed the bloc's 28 ministers to rush through the collective measure.
Around 60 countries have now committed to the landmark agreement designed to stem the planet's rising temperatures, which was sealed in December 2015 in the French capital.
The European Parliament must now give its approval before the EU actually ratifies the agreement, an EU statement said.
The Paris accord requires all countries to devise plans to achieve the goal of keeping the rise of temperatures within two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and strive for 1.5 C (2.7 F) if possible.
GMT 17:14 2017 Sunday ,03 September
Irma forecast to remain a 'powerful hurricane for days'GMT 13:44 2017 Tuesday ,29 August
Power demand to peak in Europe summers, not wintersGMT 18:24 2017 Wednesday ,16 August
Climate change will cut crop yields: studyGMT 11:43 2017 Saturday ,05 August
US to join climate talks despite Paris accord exitGMT 14:14 2017 Saturday ,22 July
Hottest day ever in Shanghai as heat wave bakes ChinaGMT 22:19 2017 Thursday ,20 July
Fewer 'good air' days in China despite official effortsGMT 12:56 2017 Saturday ,08 July
G20 draft statement shows 19-against-US split on climateGMT 00:44 2017 Monday ,08 May
Pleasant weather forecast todayMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor