Turkey and Australia Propose 35% Global Electrification Target at UN Climate Talks

“The hardest, but most important, thing humanity has ever tried to do together.”
— UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell

COP31 Co-Hosts Propose Bold New Electrification Target

During preparatory talks for the United Nations climate conference in Bonn, Germany, representatives from Turkey and Australia have proposed a significant new target for global electrification. Murat Kurum, Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and Chris Bowen, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, are co-hosting the discussions as part of their joint presidency of the upcoming COP31 summit.

Murat Kurum proposed that 35% of global final energy demand should be met by electricity by 2035, a substantial increase from the current level of approximately 20%. The proposal is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Energy Agency has been asked to produce a report outlining methods to achieve this target. Under the plan, electrification would apply to sectors including:

• Transport
• Heating
• Industry

Technology for electrifying these sectors—such as electric vehicles and heat pumps—is already available, but its adoption varies significantly by region. Currently, approximately one-third of global electricity generation comes from renewable sources, while nearly 80% of final energy consumption is still met by fossil fuels.

In a related initiative, Kurum also called for halving the growth rate of global waste by 2035. Waste management has been identified as a focal point for the COP31 agenda.

Murat Kurum stated that electrifying daily life can help protect families and businesses from volatile energy markets and that the 35% target will be a defining priority of the Turkish COP31 presidency.

Chris Bowen noted that renewable energy is now the cheapest form of power available. He highlighted that over 80% of Australia's trading partners have committed to net-zero emissions, indicating a shrinking market for fossil fuels. Bowen pointed to Australia's growth in renewable energy and battery storage, including:

• Rooftop solar panels on over one in three homes
• More than 400,000 small batteries installed since July

He suggested Australia could transition to exporting green hydrogen, electricity via cables, and energy-intensive services such as data centers and artificial intelligence.

Bowen acknowledged that Australia remains a major fossil fuel exporter and has approved over 30 fossil fuel developments since 2022. He argued that Australia is preparing for a transition away from fossil fuel exports.

The right to host COP31 was initially contested between Turkey and Australia, with a joint presidency decided in November 2024. Under the arrangement, Australia will lead formal negotiations under the Paris Agreement, while Turkey will have major influence in running the event. The summit is scheduled for November in Turkey.

At the preparatory talks in Bonn, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating that addressing the climate crisis is "the hardest, but most important, thing humanity has ever tried to do together." Scientists have warned of a possible "super El Niño" this year, which could intensify temperature rises, heatwaves, droughts, and flooding.