India, one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, has ratified the Paris global climate agreement. Under the deal, India has committed to ensuring that at least 40% of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources by 2030. CO2 emissions are believed to be the driving force behind climate change. Last December in Paris, countries agreed to cut emissions in a bid to keep the global average rise in temperatures below 2C. The Paris deal is the world's first comprehensive climate agreement. It will only come into force legally after it is ratified by at least 55 countries which between them produce at least 55% of global carbon emissions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last month that India would ratify the agreement on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the struggle for independence from Britain. "India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations," the UN said in a statement on Sunday. The US and China - together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions - both formally joined the Paris global climate agreement earlier this month. India accounts for about 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and became the 62nd country to ratify the agreement. The European Union is expected to do so in the near future, taking approvals past the 55% of emissions threshold.
India, responsible for 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, ratified the Paris climate agreement on Sunday. Under the agreement, the country pledged to generate at least 40% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. The US and China, jointly responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions, joined the agreement last month. UN is also expected to join in the near future, taking ratifications past the 55% of global carbon emissions produced by 55 countries required for the agreement to come into effect.