COP31 climate summit opens in Antalya with focus on electrification pledge

The United Nations COP31 climate summit officially began on November 9 in Antalya, Turkey, with the primary objective of accelerating global electrification. Conference president Murat Kurum has introduced the “35-by-35” pledge, which aims to increase the share of electricity in global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, significantly rising from the current level of approximately 20%. This initiative seeks to replace fossil fuel-dependent technologies, including internal combustion vehicles, gas boilers, and industrial processes, with electric alternatives to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.

While the Turkish presidency describes the proposal as a defining feature of the conference, the initiative has encountered scrutiny from climate advocates. Critics point out that the current pledge does not mandate that the increased electricity demand must be met through low-carbon or renewable energy sources, raising concerns about its overall environmental effectiveness. Negotiators are currently working to include this target in the formal final agreement of the two-week summit. The outcome of these discussions is expected to influence long-term global energy policy, building upon the existing trends identified by the International Energy Agency.