Paris Agreement Entry Into Force: Much Ado About Something, But Much More To Do

It is nice to be reminded that, sometimes, things can happen more quickly than anticipated. The 'best estimate' for the crossing of the threshold for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement was the end of 2016. Instead, the threshold of 55% of Parties accounting for at least 55% of total global emissions was reached on 5th October. The Paris Agreement will therefore officially enter into force on 4th November 2016, just three days before the start of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP22) in Marrakech.

The earlier-than-expected entry into force of the Paris Agreement is an encouraging sign that the momentum accumulated during the fourteen December days of COP21 has not dissipated. High-level commitment to the Agreement, at least in much of the world, remains strong, and this is without doubt a cause for celebration. Without wishing to dampen the party, however, lest we overlook the scale of the challenge ahead. Just as the signing of the Paris