India to ratify Paris climate deal next week

India, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, will sign the global agreement to draw down those emissions on Oct. 2.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Sunday that he would sign the deal on Oct. 2, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the Times of India reports.

 

India’s decision to join the agreement moves it significantly closer to taking effect. The deal kicks in when at least 55 countries representing 55 percent of global carbon emissions ratify it. So far, 61 countries have joined the deal, covering 47.79 percent of emissions, according to the World Resources Institute.

 

Read More: India to ratify Paris climate deal next week | TheHill