EU countries agree to back COP31 electrification pledge
The voluntary goal would lift electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035, but formal EU endorsement still requires further procedural steps.
All 27 EU member countries have agreed to support a global electrification pledge at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, three diplomats said. The agreement resolves divisions within the bloc, although further procedural steps are needed before its backing becomes official.
Proposed by the summit’s Turkish-Australian hosts, the voluntary target calls for electricity to account for 35 per cent of global energy consumption by 2035, compared with around 20 per cent currently. The diplomats spoke anonymously to describe private talks between governments.
Some EU countries had held back because the pledge did not require electricity used to achieve the goal to come from clean sources rather than fossil fuels. Others wanted discussions on the EU’s own energy policies settled before accepting another target.
The disagreement also extends beyond the EU. Governments seeking stronger climate action at COP31 want electrification linked to clean energy to advance the shift away from fossil fuels. Others want coal and gas to remain options for supplying additional electricity demand. The wording presented in September contained no reference to clean power.
