The European Union has decided to ratify the Paris climate deal

On September 30, the ministers of EU decided to ratify the climate deal from COP21 in Paris last year. The formal decision is expected this week and when this is taken, the climate deal can come into force. The decision gives more power to EU in COP22 in Marrakesh later this year. During COP22 there will be negotiations on how the Paris climate deal should be implemented. The European Union aims to cut emission of green house gases with 40 % by 2030.
 
The Paris agreement, contrary to the Kyoto agreement, recognises sustainable forest management and reduced deforestation as important aspects to mitigated climate change. Globally, deforestation is estimated to cause more emissions of greenhouse gases than cars and trucks. In many countries a large share of the total emission cuts will be provide by reducing the emission from unsustainable forest management. One important way to reduce deforestation is through REDD+, A UN program providing incentives for forest dependent communities in developing countries to adopt sustainable forest management strategies.
 
Picture credit: © European Union 2016 – European Parliament (CC BY-NC-ND).