By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.

On April 22 a ceremony was held at United Nations headquarters in New York to coincide with Earth Day during which several nations, including the U.S., signed the Paris Agreement that aims to limit global temperatures rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. Leaders in the U.S. ethanol sector have criticized the U.S. for not include biofuels in its plan.

According to information published by the Renewable Fuels Association, the agreement will enter into force when at least 55 countries collectively representing at least 55 percent of global emissions sign on in support of the agreement.

Leading up to the Paris Agreement, countries submitted individual plans, known as Intended National Determined Contributions, which outline how they plan to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. While 37 countries have included biofuels in their INDCs, the U.S. has not.