China and the United States, the top two leading carbon polluters in the world, have confirmed that they will formally participate in the Paris climate agreement in New York on April 22 this year, a move that officials hope will bring the pact closer to reality.

In a joint presidential statement, the two powerful countries agreed to sign a deal to reduce carbon emissions at a United Nations ceremony this month. They further committed to take "respective domestic steps" and encouraged other countries to sign the agreement "with a view to brining the Paris Agreement into force as early as possible."

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Leaders from about 200 countries created the agreement with the hope of transforming the world's fossil fuel-driven economy. The Paris climate agreement needs at least 55 countries to represent at least 55 percent of global emissions before it can formally enter into force. China and the US account for nearly 40 percent.

Todd Stern, the US climate envoy who brokered the deal in Paris, revealed that putting the accord into force as early as possible will benefit countries prone to climate change more.

"The best thing that can happen for them is to get this agreement going and get into force," he said.

Meanwhile Brian Deese, a special climate change adviser to President Obama, said that quick approval would ensure efforts to limit emissions are implemented on time.

"The two largest economies and two largest emitters are saying we are not going to wait, not just sign on the first day, but join much more quickly than has been historical practice," he told the press.

Tagschina, United States, Paris Climate Agreement, Climate Change, climate change talks, Carbon emission