As the world convenes for the largest international conference to address climate change, COP31, one of the main items on this year’s agenda is electrification.
“Under our 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge, we aim to raise electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035,” announced COP31 President Murat Kurum, whose country Türkiye is co-hosting the talks with Australia.
What does electrification mean, and what could it entail for the future of climate change mitigation?
Transitioning away from fossil fuels
Electrification means that technologies and systems that directly use oil, coal, or natural gas would be replaced with ones powered by electricity.
In practice, this includes switching to electric cars, buses, and trucks. It means using more efficient heating and cooling systems, such as heat pumps instead of gas boilers, and induction over gas stovetops. Industries would switch to alternatives such as industrial heat pumps, electric boilers and furnaces.
Global use of electricity-powered energy currently sits at around 23%, and the electrification pledge seeks to increase it to 35%. Türkiye is calling at COP31 for all governments to sign the pledge.
Cleaner energy
But electrification is only half the step.
A renewable energy source is needed to ensure it makes an effective mark on greenhouse emission reductions.
“We can build a future of clean energy independence – or lock in another generation of fossil fuel dependence,” highlighted UN Secretary-General António Guterres at COP31. He called for an expansion of “renewables, grids, storage and clean electrification at bullet speed.”
Reducing emissions requires modernised grids, integrated infrastructure, adapted buildings and low-carbon transport.
How is electricity currently produced?
Globally, the largest source of electricity is coal, at 34%, with natural gas as the second most used at 21%. There has been an increase in low-emissions sources (renewables and nuclear), up to 43% in 2025. This is the highest level used in the last 50 years.
In 2024, 29% of Europe’s electricity came from fossil-fuels. The majority of electricity generated comes from low-carbon sources, 48% from renewables and 23% from nuclear power.
Why it matters
One of the key reasons behind the push for electrification is reduced emissions.
“Together, action on methane and electrification are the planetary icepack – able to cut half a degree from projected global heating,” outlined UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell.
It could also help improve the quality of the air we breathe as burning fossil fuels produces harmful air pollutants.
Electrification can also improve energy efficiency. For electric cars, they can go up to three times further the distance than one powered by gasoline for the same price.
Over the past decade, the cost of renewable energy has fallen dramatically. In most parts of the world, installing solar power is now cheaper than building new coal or gas plants. However, the UN Secretary-General is calling for clean electricity to be affordable and available to all.
“Fossil fuels have failed to deliver on universal energy access. Hundreds of millions of people still live without electricity. They cannot be left behind by the clean energy revolution,” urged Mr Guterres.
Why is it being talked about now?
Electrification is not a new concept. It has already been an integral part of the global campaign for reducing greenhouse emissions.
The crisis in the Middle East has underlined the risks of fossil fuel dependency. Three out of four people live in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels.
“A shock thousands of kilometres away is driving up the cost of transport, running a business or putting food on the table. Real energy security means breaking this dependence. Clean electricity can do that,” underlined Mr Guterres.
A rapid expansion of data centres across the world has also created an unprecedented demand for electricity, with their energy consumption expected to double by 2030.
What is already being done?
Electrification and a move to clean energy use is already under way.
In 2025, electric vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of global new car sales, up from less than 3 per cent in 2019. In Norway, electric cars now make up almost all new vehicle sales.
The EU’s Electrification Action Plan aims at making Europe the first electro-powered continent, and seeks 46% of electric-powered energy usage by 2040.
In Ireland, wind power supplied around a third of Ireland’s electricity in 2024, four times the global average.
The United Kingdom, which became the first G7 country to phase out coal-fired power in 2024, announced it has secured more than £100 billion of private clean energy investment.
At COP31, Mr. Guterres hopes countries will go even further:
“We have the technology. We have the economic case. Now we need the political will to deliver.”
See also:
- COP31 explained: What’s at stake at this year’s UN climate summit?
- COP31: Guterres says fossil fuel windfall tax can help pay for energy transition