COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: Climate change: Council speeds up process for EU ratification of Paris agreement

30/9/2016 Climate change: Council speeds up process for EU ratification of Paris agreement On 30 September 2016, the Council agreed to speed up the process of ratification of the Paris Agreement. This agreement sets the framework for global action on climate change. The Council decided to go ahead with ratification at EU level. Member states will ratify either together with the EU if they have completed their national procedures, or as soon as possible thereafter. To open the way for EU ratification, ministers endorsed a Council decision on EU conclusion of the agreement and asked the European Parliament for its consent. Once the European Parliament gives its green light, the decision on conclusion will beformally adopted by the Council. The EU will then be able to ratify the agreement.