The European Parliament on Tuesday gave its consent for the ratification of the global climate agreement initiated in Paris last year, Bloomberg reported. The 28-nation European Union voted to ratify the accord in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday and is expected to submit the document at the United Nations this week.

The EU's ratification of the Paris climate deal fulfills the criteria to enact it and ensure its enforcement within 30 days. At least 55 countries that account for 55% of the world's harmful emissions needed to ratify the agreement before it could be brought into effect. The EU's vote brings the tally to 62 countries.

The United States, China and India had earlier given their formal consent to the accord finalised in December. These regions are collectively responsible for 51.89% of global carbon emissions. The EU's 28 nations together account for 12% of the total. The deal seeks a commitment from countries to stop global temperatures from increasing beyond 2°C.

The ratification precedes the first meeting of parties preparing for the UN climate change conference in Morocco on November 7. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said, "Today, the European Union turned climate ambition into climate action."

The European Union plans to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 from its 1990 levels. EU Climate and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said, "The world is moving, and Europe is in a driver's seat, confident and proud of leading the work to tackle climate change."