Representatives from more than 190 countries are gathering in Türkiye for two weeks of climate negotiations, with rising temperatures, record ocean heat and growing greenhouse gas emissions adding urgency to the talks. A key proposal aims to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035.
The UN climate summit COP31 opened in Antalya on Monday, bringing together heads of state, ministers and negotiators from more than 190 countries to discuss the next steps in the global energy transition.
Opening the conference, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called for concrete measures to accelerate climate action, including tripling adaptation finance, expanding global renewable energy capacity threefold by 2030 and significantly reducing methane emissions.
He also stressed the need to strengthen electricity grids and cross-border energy connections to support the transition towards an increasingly electrified global economy.
Climate indicators continue to deteriorate
The summit comes amid mounting evidence of accelerating climate change. The World Meteorological Organization’s latest State of the Global Climate report warns that 2026 is continuing a prolonged period of exceptional global temperatures, melting ice and rising sea levels.
The WMO said the past 12 years have been the warmest on record, with the last four occupying the top four positions. Around 90 per cent of the excess heat accumulated by the Earth system is absorbed by the oceans, which have experienced record temperatures over the past decade.
Greenhouse gas concentrations also reached new highs in 2025. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rose by 53 per cent from pre-industrial levels to 426.8 parts per million, while methane concentrations increased by 167 per cent to 1,948 parts per billion.
The report also warns that a particularly strong El Niño could bring further warming and extreme weather events, with impacts extending beyond 2027.
Türkiye and Australia push 35 per cent electricity target
One of the central proposals at COP31 is the 35/35 initiative put forward by Türkiye, which aims to raise electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035.
Electricity currently accounts for around one-fifth of final energy consumption worldwide, with transport, buildings and industry still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said increasing electricity’s share would not only help reduce emissions but also strengthen energy security and protect households from price volatility.
Stiell described electrification and methane reduction as complementary measures that could lower projected global warming by half a degree. He also noted that around 90 per cent of large-scale renewable energy projects are now cheaper than their fossil fuel alternatives.
Climate finance remains a major point of contention
Beyond the energy transition, negotiations will focus on adaptation finance, methane reduction and compensation for climate-related loss and damage in vulnerable countries.
Developing nations are seeking greater financial support, while disagreements over funding commitments remain a major obstacle. The scale of the challenge is illustrated by Nepal, which reportedly needs $4.7 billion following a glacier collapse and humanitarian disaster in August, but has received commitments of only slightly more than $250 million.
Türkiye is seeking to use its position as host to bridge differences between developed and developing nations. COP31 President Murat Kurum said the aim was to find common ground that reflects the expectations of both the Global North and the Global South.
Australia, which will lead the negotiations, is also seeking to represent the interests of Pacific nations and secure progress on the proposed electrification target.
Be First to Comment