NEW DELHI: As the West Asia crisis brings the electrification of the economy back into focus, countries participating in dialogues to address climate change challenges may agree by year-end on a new global target: electricity meeting 35% of the world's energy demand by 2035.
Proposal at Bonn Climate Meeting
The proposal was made by the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye during the mid-year UN climate meeting in Bonn, Germany, on Tuesday. The initiative, called the "35x35" global electrification target, aims to increase the share of electricity in the world's overall energy demand from just over 20% currently to 35% by 2035.
Analysis and Alignment with Paris Agreement
The target is based on analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It is designed to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and help keep the world on a pathway consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900). The goal is to accelerate the shift from direct use of fossil fuels (oil and gas) to clean electricity from renewables and nuclear across buildings, transport, and industry.
Action Agenda for COP31
The ongoing Bonn meeting (June 8-18) will set an action agenda for the year-end UN climate conference (COP31), scheduled for November in Antalya, Türkiye. COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum stated, "By electrifying daily life, from transport to buildings and industry, we can protect families and businesses from volatile energy markets. This '35% by 2035' target will be one of the defining priorities of our COP31 Presidency. On the road to COP31 in Antalya, we will work to bring together a strong global coalition that is ready and determined to act in support of this objective."
Additional Targets and Reports
In support of the electrification target, the Presidency, in partnership with Australia, has commissioned the IEA to deliver special reports mapping pathways for achieving the "35x35" target. During a presentation on the Presidency's action agenda, Kurum also announced other targets, including a goal of halving growth in global waste by 2035. He introduced a new global target under the resilient cities priority to reduce energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25% by 2035.
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About the Author
Vishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources, and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shapes domestic policy and India's position on the global platform. Before focusing on sustainable development issues, Vishwa covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.
