The United Nations climate conference COP31, scheduled to open on Monday in Antalya, Turkiye, has placed electrification at the heart of its agenda. Turkiye’s government announced the non‑binding Global Electrification Pledge, aiming to raise electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035. This target, dubbed the “35‑by‑35” pledge, seeks to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources while bolstering energy security.
“This year’s energy crisis has shocked us… everyone now understands that energy that you import is energy that you do not control,” said COP31 president and Turkiye’s environment minister, Murat Kurum, during a press briefing. He added, “Electrification is the answer. It protects communities from volatile global markets and cuts emissions.” Kurum further described COP31’s goal as “to usher in the age of electricity.”
According to the International Energy Agency, electricity currently accounts for roughly one‑fifth of global final energy consumption. The 35‑by‑35 pledge would therefore represent a significant shift, though critics argue that the plan does not mandate that the additional electricity come from low‑carbon sources. This omission has sparked debate over whether electrification alone constitutes meaningful climate progress.
Other priority areas for COP31 include zero waste, methane reduction, climate‑resilient cities, green industrialisation, education, and the implementation of national climate plans. A coalition of vulnerable island nations, among them several South Pacific states, is calling for a clearer global roadmap to move away from fossil fuels entirely.
Meanwhile, several oil and gas‑producing countries, such as Saudi Arabia, maintain that fossil fuels can remain part of the energy mix if paired with carbon‑capture technologies. The ongoing US‑Israel conflict over Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fuel prices worldwide and prompting governments to seek alternative energy sources. In response, some Asian nations—including South Korea, India, and Thailand—have increased coal reliance or expanded coal‑fired power generation, while renewable deployment has also risen thanks to China’s export of affordable clean technology.
Turkiye’s focus on electrification comes at a time when the global community is grappling with energy security, climate commitments, and geopolitical tensions. The COP31 conference will therefore be a critical platform for negotiating how best to balance these competing priorities and advance a sustainable energy future.
Source: Al Jazeera
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