After signing an international treaty, such as the Climate Change Convention or the Kyoto Protocol, a country has to ratify the commitment, often with the approval of its parliament or other legislature. The ratification instrument must be deposited with the UN Secretary-General to, then, begin the 90-day count for the ratifying country to become an integral party. There are minimum ratifications thresholds for the entry into force of international treaties.
Permanence
Permanence
Time at which carbon stored by sequestration remains in a carbon pool without being rereleased. Only permanent carbon pools are acceptable for climate policy purposes.