The European Parliament today gave its consent to the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and COP21 President Ségolène Royal, after EU Ministers approved it on 30 September. The EU ratification will trigger the entry-into-force of the first-ever universal, legally-binding global climate deal.

The Chairman of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber MEP, said: “Without the EU and Europe's strong position on the climate, the Paris Agreement would never have happened. Europe is setting the benchmark on climate protection. To keep this leading role, EU Member States should stick to the existing ambitious goals and swiftly implement the agreement. It is crucial that we do not waste any more time."

“Almost twenty years ago, the Kyoto Protocol was buried in the US Senate”, recalled Giovanni La Via MEP, Chairman of the Environment Committee. “Since then, the EU has been leading international actions to fight climate change and has worked hard to make the Paris Agreement a success. Today, the Agreement will secure its entry-into-force in the House of the European citizens”, he added.

“It is an historic moment and the outcome of great cooperation between Members of the European and national parliaments, the EU Member States, the European Commission and the Council Presidencies. Today's vote shows that the European Union is delivering on promises made. We must and we can hand over to future generations a world that is more stable and prosperous: a healthier and cleaner planet. Today we have taken a step closer to it”, La Via concluded.