The COP31 Presidency has announced an ambitious new global electrification target aimed at accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and advancing climate action worldwide.
Speaking at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, COP31 President-Designate and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, unveiled a flagship initiative under the COP31 Action Agenda to increase the share of global final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20 percent today to 35 percent by 2035.
The proposed “35% by 2035” target seeks to drive greater electrification across key sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, while supporting efforts to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels under the Paris Agreement.
“The Action Agenda is the driving force behind implementation,” Kurum told delegates. “By electrifying daily life, from transport to buildings and industry, we can protect families and businesses from volatile energy markets.”
The COP31 Presidency also announced plans to build a global coalition involving governments, businesses, financial institutions, cities and civil society organizations to support implementation of the target.
The initiative is backed by analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which identify electrification as one of the most effective pathways to reducing emissions, improving energy security and lowering energy costs.
Alongside the electrification goal, the COP31 Presidency introduced several additional climate targets under its Action Agenda. These include a commitment to halve the growth of global waste by 2035 as part of a broader zero-waste strategy, recognizing that food waste alone contributes around 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Another key objective aims to reduce energy consumption intensity in the global building sector by at least 25 percent by 2035, helping households and businesses lower energy bills while enhancing climate resilience.
The Presidency also outlined new initiatives focused on food security, climate education and promoting circular materials in manufacturing.
A major component of the Action Agenda is the proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, designed to strengthen connections between national climate, economic and development priorities while improving access to climate finance, particularly for developing countries.
To support the electrification initiative, the COP31 Presidency and Australia have commissioned the IEA to prepare special reports outlining pathways to achieve the 35 percent electrification target and assessing the benefits of reducing waste and expanding circular economy practices.
Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, who serves as President of Negotiations for COP31, said accelerating electrification would improve energy security, reduce costs and help curb emissions.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the initiative, describing electrification as one of the most effective tools for reducing dependence on expensive and volatile fossil fuels while advancing the goals of the Global Stocktake.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol noted that the ongoing global energy crisis is accelerating the world’s shift toward what he described as the “Age of Electricity,” driven by rising demand from electric vehicles, air conditioning, artificial intelligence and industrial applications.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera also endorsed the target, stating that electrification powered by renewable energy offers one of the most immediate and cost-effective solutions for tackling climate change while strengthening economic competitiveness.
The Bonn Climate Change Conference, running from June 8 to 18, serves as a key preparatory meeting ahead of the COP31 summit, which will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.
According to the COP31 Presidency, the new electrification target builds upon commitments made at previous climate conferences, including the COP28 pledge to triple renewable energy capacity and transition away from fossil fuels, as well as COP29 agreements to expand energy storage, modernize electricity grids and mobilize at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support climate action in developing countries.
Officials said the Action Agenda aims to transform these commitments into practical actions that can accelerate the global energy transition and deliver tangible climate benefits by 2035.
