COP31 electrification ambition links climate and energy security
Global pledge targets a 35% electricity share by 2035
Electricity could supply around 33% of global final energy consumption by 2035 using existing technologies cost-effectively, according to IEA analysis described in the Royal Meteorological Society’s COP31 update. Published on 10 November, the update outlines the Presidency’s pledge to reach 35%, compared with approximately 23% today.
The ambition covers transport, buildings and industry, supported by grids, storage and low-carbon generation. RMetS links electrification with reduced exposure to imported fossil fuels, while stressing that emissions benefits depend particularly on decarbonising electricity. It also highlights risks from heat, flooding, drought and storms to energy and transport infrastructure.
Why this matters for policymakers
- Infrastructure Our analysis: scrutinise whether grid and storage investment matches electrification plans.
- Emissions Our analysis: assess electrification alongside progress towards low-carbon generation.
- Resilience Our analysis: incorporate climate-risk evidence into energy and transport investment decisions.
Image: Illustrative photograph of an electric car at a charging station in Stuttgart, not COP31 infrastructure. Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to JPEG for display.