COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum has unveiled a new global electrification target as part of the COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda, calling for a faster transition from direct fossil fuel use to clean electricity across transport, buildings and industry.
The initiative forms part of a wider set of non-negotiated Action Agenda targets announced by the COP31 President-Designate at the Bonn Climate Change Conference.
Speaking to delegates, Kurum—Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change—proposed increasing the share of global final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20% today to 35% by 2035.
“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,” he said.
The COP31 Presidency says it will also work to build a broad international coalition to support implementation of the target, which is based on analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It is intended to help align global efforts with the Paris Agreement and keep warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Alongside the electrification plan, Kurum announced additional initiatives under the Action Agenda, including a goal to halve the growth of global waste by 2035 as part of a zero-waste drive. Food waste alone accounts for about 10% of global emissions, largely driven by methane.
A further target under the “Resilient Cities” priority aims to cut energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25% by 2035, a move expected to ease pressure on households and businesses facing rising energy costs.
Kurum also outlined emerging initiatives under development, including programmes focused on food security, circular manufacturing systems and climate education.
He further highlighted the Climate Implementation Bridge, designed to help countries better align climate, economic and development plans, while improving the speed and impact of climate finance delivery.
To support the electrification agenda, the COP31 Presidency—working with Australia—has commissioned the IEA to produce special reports outlining pathways to achieving the “35×35” target, alongside assessments on waste reduction and circular economy systems. This builds on existing collaboration with IRENA on electrification strategies.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the initiative, saying electrification is already driving growth in clean energy, jobs and energy security.
He said accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels is essential to lowering energy costs and strengthening global energy security, adding that efforts to build more efficient cities and reduce waste will be key to addressing the worsening impacts of climate change.
The Bonn Climate Change Conference is taking place from June 8 to 18, 2026, bringing together negotiators under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change ahead of COP31, scheduled for November in Antalya, Türkiye.