As COP31 set to open in Antalya, Turkiye pushes electrification up climate agenda with 2035 target
Turkiye’s 2035 electricity target
Ankara aims for electricity to make up 35 percent of global energy demand by 2035. The United Nations climate conference COP31 is scheduled to begin Monday in Antalya, Turkiye.
The International Energy Agency says electricity accounts for about one-fifth of total final energy consumption worldwide. COP31 president and Turkiye’s environment minister, Murat Kurum, linked the push to concerns over energy dependence.
Energy security in focus
The US-led war on Iran has highlighted the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels. US President Donald Trump has promoted policies to maximize oil, gas and coal production in response to disruptions in the Middle East.
Calls for a fossil-fuel roadmap
Climate advocates have criticized Turkiye’s pledge because it does not require additional electricity to come from low-carbon sources. They argue that increasing electricity use alone does not guarantee a shift away from fossil fuels.
A group of countries, including South Pacific island nations most exposed to sea level rise, is calling more broadly for a clearer global roadmap away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, renewable energy deployment has grown, helped by increased exports of inexpensive clean technology from China.
Key points
- Turkiye aims to make electricity 35 percent of global energy demand by 2035.
- COP31 is set to open Monday in Antalya.
- Climate advocates say the pledge lacks a requirement for low-carbon electricity.
- Some countries are seeking a clearer global roadmap away from fossil fuels.