Australia will be among the first countries in the world to sign the Paris agreement on climate change, with a "very senior" representative being sent to a signing ceremony in New York later this month, according to government sources.

Erwin Jackson, deputy chief executive of the Climate Institute welcomed the news saying, "it's signalling the conviction of the Government to the world that they're now moving to implement the historic agreement that was forged in Paris".

The Paris agreement, brokered after years of talks, aims to limit the release of greenhouse gases so that global warming is kept below 2 degrees Celsius, with a stretch goal of keeping it below 1.5C.

Mr Jackson said "there wasn't very much doubt that Australia would sign the agreement".

When the new treaty was agreed, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop hailed it as a "pivotal moment" indicating Australia's support.

"What Paris demonstrated is there is strong global momentum to move away from old inefficient power sources to clean modern energy," Mr Jackson said.

The United Nations will hold a high-level signing event on April 22 at its headquarters in New York.

Historic climate deal Deal to limit global warming to "well below" 2C, aiming for 1.5C

Deal to limit global warming to "well below" 2C, aiming for 1.5C Greenhouse gas emissions need to peak "as soon as possible", followed by rapid reduction

Greenhouse gas emissions need to peak "as soon as possible", followed by rapid reduction Deal will eliminate use of coal, oil and gas for energy

Deal will eliminate use of coal, oil and gas for energy Fossil fuels to be replaced by solar, wind power

Fossil fuels to be replaced by solar, wind power Developed countries to provide $US100b a year from 2020 to help developing nations

Developed countries to provide $US100b a year from 2020 to help developing nations Read about more highlights of the deal

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited heads of governments to partake in a formal signing ceremony.

France, Canada, the United States and China have all indicated they will be sending senior government representatives to the occasion. Dozens of others are expected to attend.

"By implementing the Paris agreement, we will be building the future we want — a future of shared opportunity that leaves no-one behind on a planet that is protected and nurtured for the benefit of all," Mr Ban said in a statement.

The agreement will stay open for signing for a year.

Ratification is the next step.

For some countries this involves passing legislation in their parliaments, but for Australia, the treaty needs only to be tabled in Parliament and considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

Kelvin Thomson, deputy chair of the committee, said: "We then hold an inquiry and table a report with recommendations in the Parliament."

"The Government can then move to ratify the agreement," he said.

He said as yet, nothing had been referred to the committee on the Paris agreement.