On 4 October 2016, the Council adopted the decision on the EU ratification of the Paris Agreement. This agreement sets the framework for global action on climate change.

Following the vote in the European Parliament giving  its consent, the Council adopted the decision by written procedure. The decision will be deposited on Friday 7 October 2016 with the Secretary-General of the UN, who is the depositary of the Paris Agreement. EU ratification comes into effect from the moment of deposit of the decision.   

The Slovak Minister for the Environment and president of the Council, László Sólymos said: "United Europe did everything possible to speed up its proceedings and breathe life into the Paris Agreement. The Council's adoption of the decision in just a few hours illustrates our commitment to keeping our promises. The deposit of the ratification instruments on Friday will finally round off the whole process. We can all be collectively proud of this achievement".

 Member states will ratify either together with the EU if they have completed their national procedures, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the ratification by at least 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So far 63 countries have ratified, accounting for 52.11% of global emissions.