Turkey's COP31 presidency aims to increase global electrification by 35% by 2035. Achieving this goal will require renewable energy, stronger electricity grids, national plans and a reduction in fossil fuel use.
-By Laura Contemori
COP31 electrification: Turkey pushes for a 35% increase by 2035
Electrification will be one of the key issues on the COP31 agenda. The summit will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November.
The Turkish presidency plans to introduce the “35 by 35” target, with Australia supporting the negotiations. The target aims to increase the global electrification rate by 35% by 2035.
The initiative comes as energy security and climate security become increasingly interconnected. Recent crises and volatility in fossil fuel prices have reinforced this relationship.
The Antalya summit will also test progress on commitments made at COP28 in Dubai. These include tripling renewable energy capacity and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The 35 by 35 target and reducing fossil fuel use
Turkey’s proposal is designed as a voluntary commitment. Katrine Petersen, Interim Programme Lead at the E3G think tank, stresses that “alongside a 35% increase in global electrification by 2035, we should also see a 48% reduction in global fossil fuel use over the same period.”
Petersen also argues that accelerated electrification can be a powerful driver of the energy transition. However, governments must support it with strong political signals and tangible progress in clean energy. This includes solar and wind power, as well as investment in electricity grids and transmission systems.
The Paris Agreement’s flexibility and national electrification plans
A central issue is the structure of the initiative, which Turkey has deliberately framed in broad terms. Federica Fricano, chief negotiator at Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), explains that this approach reflects Turkey’s intention to secure the widest possible participation.
“The Paris Agreement […] has a very specific nature: it is nationally determined,” she adds.
Countries agree on common rules and objectives, but each remains responsible for deciding how to achieve them at national level.
This flexibility makes it easier to build international consensus. However, it also raises questions about the ambition of individual national pathways.
To prevent the commitment from remaining a statement of intent, governments will need to establish clear implementation strategies.
Luca Bergamaschi, co-founder of the ECCO think tank, supports this approach.
“Having national electrification plans as well, building on what is already in place, could be very useful in providing political direction.”
Renewable energy and electricity grids are essential
Increasing electricity use alone does not guarantee lower emissions. The outcome also depends on how electricity is generated and whether power systems can meet growing demand.
According to E3G, governments must support faster electrification with clear political commitments and concrete measures. These include expanding clean electricity generation, particularly solar and wind power, and investing in grids and transmission infrastructure.
The think tank says combining electrification with cleaner electricity generation delivers greater benefits. These include improved energy security, resilience and affordability.
These considerations also apply to energy transition strategies across Africa. Electricity supply, renewable generation and grid development remain important policy issues across the continent.
The credibility of the countries promoting the initiative is another key consideration. Both Turkey and Australia have economies with significant ties to coal. According to E3G, they have an opportunity to demonstrate through their domestic policies how accelerated electrification can go hand in hand with renewable energy development.
