Türkiye, which will host and preside over the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) from 9 to 20 November, has announced a new global target. COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Murat Kurum said that electrification across all sectors of the economy would help move the world towards a low-carbon future. Kurum announced a target to increase electricity's share of final energy demand from approximately 20% today to 35% by 2035.
Although approximately one-third of global electricity generation already comes from renewable sources, other energy-intensive sectors, particularly transport, heating and industry, have lagged behind. As a result, almost four-fifths of final energy demand is still met by fossil fuels.
"By electrifying the energy we use in daily life, from transport and buildings to industry, we can protect families and companies from volatile energy markets," Kurum said. "The 35% target for 2035 will be one of the defining priorities of our COP31 Presidency."
Designed to support the vision of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the target aims to contribute to implementation of the Paris Agreement and is based on analyses by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The IEA will also be asked to prepare a report explaining how the 35% electrification target can be achieved by 2035.
During his presentation on the COP31 Presidency's Action Agenda, Kurum announced further targets, including halving the growth of global waste by 2035. Under the Resilient Cities priority, the COP31 Presidency also presented a new global target to reduce the energy intensity of the construction sector by at least 25% by 2035. Kurum also shared details of new initiatives and targets being developed by the Presidency.
These include food security, circular materials in manufacturing and climate education.
16 June 2026
