Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 36 mins ago
COP31 electrification target draws pushback over fossil fuel use
Türkiye proposed raising electricity to 35% of global energy use by 2035 at the COP31 climate talks in Antalya.
Electricity now makes up 23% of global energy use, and Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen said the higher target was needed to keep the 1.5-degree warming limit within reach.
The proposal does not require the extra electricity to come from clean sources, and countries disagree over whether that condition should be added.
If fossil fuels power part of the shift, they could remain in use for longer, critics warn.
Some poorer countries also face the cost of upgrading their electricity grids to use more clean power.
A separate push calls for a roadmap to move away from fossil fuels, following a proposal made at last year’s climate meeting in Brazil.
Outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Türkiye and Australia to set clear next steps, but the sources do not say what the countries will decide.
Türkiye is promoting a COP31 target to raise electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035.
Countries and climate campaigners are pushing back because the proposed pledge does not require the additional electricity to come from clean sources.
Supporters say the target would accelerate electrification, while critics warn fossil-fuel electricity could prolong reliance on coal, oil and gas.
Türkiye and Australia face criticism for promoting electrification while continuing to play major roles in coal use and trade.
A separate Australian-supported initiative seeks to double the number of households with rooftop solar panels to at least 300 million by 2030.
- Who
- Türkiye proposed the electrification target, with Australia co-presiding over COP31 talks. Countries, analysts and climate campaigners have raised concerns.
- What
- A proposed pledge would raise electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, but does not require the electricity to be clean.
- When
- At COP31 in November 2026.
- Where
- The UN climate talks are being held in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Why
- Türkiye says the target would accelerate electrification; critics say electricity generated partly from fossil fuels could prolong fossil-fuel use.
Supporters of the electrification target
Critics of the target's proposed wording
Target
Supporters of the electrification target
The 35% electricity share by 2035 is an ambitious goal that would require electrification to increase at more than four times the current pace.
Critics of the target's proposed wording
Without a requirement to use clean electricity, the target could lock in prolonged fossil-fuel use.
Climate impact
Supporters of the electrification target
Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the world had no chance of holding warming to 1.5C unless electricity reached 35% of energy consumption.
Critics of the target's proposed wording
Analysts and campaigners warn that electrification is not necessarily clean if it relies partly on fossil-fuel power.
Countries agreed for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels, according to The Hindu.
A plan to cut fossil fuels was proposed, but countries could not agree who would draw up a roadmap.
COP31's energy and transport day featured Türkiye's promotion of the 35-by-35 electrification pledge.
World leaders were scheduled to address COP31 during its high-level segment.
- Target
- Electricity to reach 35% of global energy consumption by 2035
- Current share
- 23% of global energy consumption is electricity, according to Chris Bowen
- Rooftop solar
- Australian-supported push to reach at least 300 million households by 2030
- Venue
- Antalya, Türkiye
- Coal share
- Coal generates 34% of Türkiye's energy, according to FD
3 sources
What people are saying
The world has no chance of holding to 1.5 degrees unless we lift that to 35 per cent.
Let us leave Antalya with clear next steps to advance this roadmap.
We need Europe to be showing up strongly at this COP.
If top leaders want influence over where the global (energy) transition is going, showing up is a pretty good place to start.