COP31 host says AI climate footprint to be a summit priority

Every year, countries are encouraged by COP hosts to support non-binding pledges on a parallel “action agenda” that is separate from the formal negotiations.

In an unusual arrangement this year, Australia is presiding over the marathon political negotiations but Türkiye is hosting the event and designing the sideline agenda.

The centrepiece for Türkiye is a new electrification target – raising the global share of energy demand met by electricity to 35 per cent by 2035.

In simple terms, electrification means replacing technologies that burn fossil fuels directly — such as gas heating systems and diesel vehicles – with electric alternatives.

On Monday, Türkiye announced a global mechanism to track progress on electrification and other initiatives aimed at reaching the goal.

But to tackle climate change, the extra electricity must come primarily from clean sources like solar and wind.

Around one-third of the world’s electricity is still produced using coal. 

Türkiye’s “35×35” target does not explicitly state how that extra power should be produced.

“As it stands, the COP31 Presidency’s pledge leaves the backdoor open for governments to conceal or justify expanded fossil fuel use under the guise of electrification,” said Claire Smith from campaign network Beyond Fossil Fuels.

Nations are divided on the pathway to phasing out planet-warming fossil fuels and a major breakthrough on this sticking point is not expected at the formal climate negotiations starting Nov 9.