Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ratifies Paris agreement on climate change

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced the Australian government has ratified the Paris agreement on climate change.

Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg in Canberra today, Mr Turnbull said the agreement was in Australia's best interests.

"Almost a year from the Paris conference, it is clear the agreement was a watershed, a turning point and the adoption of a comprehensive strategy has galvanised the international community and spurred on global action," Mr Turnbull said.

"As you know, we are playing our part with ambitious targets. 

"We are on track to meet and indeed beat our 2020 targets."

Mr Turnbulll said his government's climate and energy policies would be reviewed next year to ensure the 2030 targets under the agreement were also met. 

The Paris agreement was founded at the December 2015 conference and saw 195 countries commit to action to keep global warming to below two degrees Celsius.

US president-elect Donald Trump has expressed his skepticism on climate change, but Mr Turnbull said any change from overseas governments would not affect Australia's commitments. 

"If a country sought to withdraw from the agreement, it takes four years," Mr Turnbull said.

"This is a global agreement. When Australia commits to a global agreement, we follow through."

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