Brazil, one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, has formally ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, in order to secure "a future that preserves the living conditions of Brazilians".
The ratification, which took place on Monday, sees Brazil join top polluters China and the US in formally accepting the aims of Paris Agreement to limit global warming to "well below" 2C and achieve full decarbonisation of its economy by the end of the century.
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Brazil's President, Michel Temer, said the ratification will be formally presented to the UN next month. "Our government is concerned about the future," he said during a signing ceremony in Brasilia. "Everything we do today is not aimed at tomorrow, but rather at a future that preserves the living conditions of Brazilians."
The ratification is a significant step forward for the Paris Agreement, which needs at least 55 countries, representing at least 55 per cent of global emissions, to formally ratify it before it can enter into force.
So far 27 countries (excluding Brazil) have ratified the Paris Agreement, representing about 39 per cent of global emissions, according to the World Resources Institute. This includes China and the US, which joined the Agreement last week, and together account for 38 per cent of global emissions.
Brazil is responsible for around 2.5 per cent of global emissions, according to UN data. That means with Brazil's involvement, the Paris Agreement has now been ratified by 28 countries, representing almost 42 per cent of global emissions.
In its national climate action plan submitted to the UN last year, Brazil promised to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 37 per cent by 2025, and 43 per cent by 2030. This climate action plan will, along with those of other countries, need to be reviewed every five years to increase ambition, moving the global economy from a trajectory where around 3C to 4C of warming is expected this century to one where the below 2C goal can be achieved.
Other large-emitting countries or blocs which have not yet formally joined the agreement include the European Union, India, Russia and Japan. However, commentators are hopeful that Brazil's rubber stamping could pave the way for a fresh influx of ratifiers. David Waskow, director of the International Climate Initiative at the World Resources Institute, said the move promises to add greater momentum to the ratification process. "This should spur other countries to join and help galvanize global action," he told the Washington Post.
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