Turkey to push for ‘electrification’ drive at COP31 as climate threats mount

Turkey will use COP31, which begins in Antalya on Monday, to promote a global electrification drive as climate risks grow. The proposal aims to increase electricity’s share of global energy demand, while expectations for a major summit breakthrough remain low amid disputes over fossil fuels, climate finance and geopolitics.

Turkey wants countries to back a rise in electricity’s share of energy demand from about 20 per cent today to 35 per cent by 2035, and hopes to include electrification in the summit’s overarching political statement. The EU has advocated “clean” electrification, but that wording may be contentious; the talks come as the UN warns the world is on course to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold.