By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Presidency of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) has announced a new global electrification target aimed at accelerating the transition from direct fossil fuel use to clean electricity across key sectors of the economy.
The proposal was unveiled on Tuesday by COP31 President Designate and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, during the Bonn Climate Change Conference in Germany.
The target, introduced as a flagship initiative under the COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda, seeks to increase the share of global final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20 per cent currently to 35 per cent by 2035.
According to the COP31 Presidency, the proposed goal is based on analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and is intended to support implementation of the Paris Agreement while helping to keep global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Speaking during the launch, Kurum said the initiative reflects a growing focus on implementation and measurable outcomes in global climate action.
“By electrifying daily life, from transport to buildings and industry, we can protect families and businesses from volatile energy markets. This ‘35% by 2035’ target will be one of the defining priorities of our COP31 Presidency,” he said.
He added that the Presidency would work with countries, particularly developing economies, to facilitate access to technical assistance, capacity building and financial support needed to advance electrification efforts.
Alongside the electrification goal, the COP31 Presidency announced a target to halve the growth in global waste by 2035 as part of its zero-waste agenda.
It also introduced a Resilient Cities target aimed at reducing energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25 per cent by 2035.
Kurum said additional initiatives covering food security, climate education and circular materials in manufacturing are also being developed ahead of COP31, which is scheduled to hold later this year in Antalya, Türkiye.
The Presidency further outlined plans for a Climate Implementation Bridge designed to help countries align climate, economic and development priorities while improving access to climate finance and accelerating project delivery.
Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy and COP31 President of Negotiations, Chris Bowen, welcomed the Action Agenda, describing electrification as critical to improving energy security and reducing emissions.
“Electrifying the global economy is one of our practical priorities for COP31 because it’s the fastest way to strengthen energy security, cut emissions and bring down costs,” Bowen said.
The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell, also endorsed the initiative, describing electrification as a key driver of economic growth, energy security and climate action.
“Electrification is a global game-changer, supercharging economies, jobs and living standards, while fighting back against the global climate crisis,” he said.
To support implementation of the new target, the COP31 Presidency and Australia have commissioned the IEA to produce special reports outlining pathways to achieving the 35 per cent electrification goal and assessing the benefits of reducing waste growth and expanding circular waste management systems.
The Presidency said it would work with international partners to build a global coalition capable of translating the proposed targets into practical actions ahead of COP31.