EU agrees fast-track backing of deal to combat climate change

EU states have agreed on a fast-track, joint ratification of the Paris accord to combat climate change, pushing the landmark global pact to the brink of entering into force.

The 2015 Paris deal will guide a radical shift of the world economy away from fossil fuels. The agreement by environment ministers from all EU 28 member states marks a rare political breakthrough for the bloc at a time of uncertainty over Britain’s departure and discord over the migration crisis.

“All member states greenlight early EU ratification of Paris agreement: What some believed impossible is now real,” tweeted European Council president Donald Tusk, whose home country Poland had been the main state resisting such a swift accord.