Turkey pledges 35% global electrification target by 2035

The incoming presidency of the United Nations climate conference, COP31, has committed to raising the share of electricity in global final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035. Murat Kurum, Turkey’s minister for environment and urban planning and the COP31 president-designate, outlined the pledge at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The initiative is designed to accelerate the transition to clean energy systems while addressing the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence and other industrial sectors. Kurum stated that the current state of the global energy system, combined with a warming world and the rapid rise of AI, necessitates immediate and coordinated action from governments and industry.

The 35-by-35 goal recognises the diverse national circumstances and pathways required to achieve electrification. It emphasises the critical role of clean power generation, energy storage, system flexibility, and the development of modern, resilient grids. The pledge also highlights the necessity of mobilising finance and strengthening international cooperation, with a specific focus on supporting developing countries. A key component of the strategy is a pact to reduce energy intensity in buildings by 25 per cent by 2035, achieved largely through electrification. This approach aims to insulate consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices while delivering clean and efficient energy solutions.

In addition to the broader electrification targets, the COP31 presidency unveiled the Antalya Pledge on AI and the AI for Clean Tech initiative. These measures address the rising energy consumption associated with data centres and seek to harness the potential of artificial intelligence for climate action. The Antalya Pledge is a political commitment to consider how AI is designed, procured, powered, deployed, and managed in support of sustainable development objectives. Developed in cooperation with the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union, a draft of the pledge is expected to be shared ahead of the COP31 conference. The AI for Clean Technologies Initiative will develop a portfolio of AI-enabled clean-technology pilots in priority sectors, including smart energy and green industry, connecting these projects with industry partners and investors.

Industry and policy experts have responded positively to the announcement, describing electrification as a central driver of the energy transition. Bruce Douglas, chief executive of the Global Renewables Alliance, stated that electrification powered by renewables represents one of the largest security and economic opportunities of the decade. He noted that while businesses are prepared to commit capital to storage, grids, and renewables, governments must urgently accelerate permitting processes, incentivise flexibility, and reform taxation to turn clean electrification into an investable reality. Anna Freeman, global co-ordinator of the Electrify Now campaign, welcomed the leadership, noting that scientific evidence indicates the rate of electrification must quadruple over the next decade to meet climate goals.

However, some analysts have urged that the targets must be balanced with the reality of energy access in developing regions. Dr Dola Oluteye, a senior fellow at the UCL Energy Institute, pointed out that nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. She argued that electrification cannot simply mean increasing demand in already-connected markets but must also expand reliable, affordable, and clean access for communities that have been left behind. Oluteye emphasised that the binding constraint is often the cost of capital, suggesting that COP31 should connect the pledge to practical measures that reduce risk and expand concessional and blended finance for developing economies.

To support these objectives, the COP31 presidency has requested that the International Energy Agency analyse the challenges and opportunities for electrification, with a report due to be published as background for a high-level dialogue with world leaders. The presidency will also collaborate with the International Renewable Energy Agency for Electrification Day on 24 September to assess the role of electrification in increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Additional initiatives include a global mechanism to track collective progress, a forum to share knowledge and build capacity, and collaborative platforms to advance greener energy and better-connected freight corridors. These measures aim to provide a clear and measurable direction for the global energy transition while ensuring that the benefits of clean technology are widely accessible.