Governments and non-state actors are being called on to support a new global electrification target aimed at increasing electricity’s share of total final energy consumption to 35% by 2035 as part of efforts to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature goal within reach.
The COP31 ‘35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge’ recognizes electrification as a key component of the global transition toward lower-emission energy systems, alongside renewable energy, energy efficiency, emissions reductions and carbon removals.
The pledge draws on analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which indicates that electricity would need to account for around 35% of total final energy consumption by 2035 and more than 50% by 2050 in pathways consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
According to the pledge, current global electrification trends are not sufficient to reach those levels, requiring faster action across transport, buildings, industry and other sectors.
Focus on grids, storage and finance
The initiative emphasizes that expanded electrification will require significant investment in electricity infrastructure, including transmission and distribution networks, energy storage and system flexibility.
It also highlights the need to increase access to affordable and accessible finance, particularly for least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS) and other developing economies.
The pledge calls for stronger investment pipelines and greater use of grants and concessional financing to reduce the cost of capital for electrification, grids, off-grid generation and storage projects.
Participating governments are encouraged to work with multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, bilateral partners, philanthropic organizations and private investors to support implementation.
National circumstances to guide implementation
The pledge recognizes that countries have different starting points, energy systems and development needs. It therefore does not prescribe a single pathway for electrification.
Instead, participating governments would pursue nationally determined policies, strategies and actions through national climate, energy and development planning, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies where appropriate.
The initiative also emphasizes technology development and transfer, knowledge sharing, capacity building and policy support to help countries advance their own electrification priorities.
Just transition and workforce protection
The pledge calls for implementation to support just transitions, decent work and skills development while protecting workers and communities affected by changes in energy systems and industries.
Participating governments also intend to establish a process for reviewing collective progress toward the electrification target, drawing where appropriate on existing analytical and reporting mechanisms, including assessments by the IEA and IRENA.
Call for wider participation
The initiative calls on governments worldwide to join the COP31 ‘35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge’ and encourages additional voluntary actions, partnerships and financial commitments.
Businesses, investors, cities and local administrations, international organizations, civil society groups and other non-state actors are also being invited to support the initiative through investments, partnerships and practical actions.
The pledge positions electrification as a complementary strategy to renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency, with the stated objectives of reducing emissions, strengthening energy security, improving energy access, supporting economic development and reducing energy poverty.
