Türkiye has announced a set of ambitious climate and energy targets aimed at accelerating the global transition to cleaner energy sources, with a proposal to increase the share of worldwide energy demand supplied by electricity from just over 20 per cent to 35 per cent by 2035.
The targets were unveiled by Murat Kurum, COP31 President-designate and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, during the United Nations June Climate Meetings in Bonn, Germany.
The announcement comes ahead of the COP31 Climate Conference scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
Kurum said the Turkish COP31 Presidency intends to establish a global coalition to support the achievement of the proposed electricity target and drive international cooperation on climate action.
In addition to expanding electricity’s role in global energy consumption, Türkiye is advocating for a 50 per cent reduction in the growth of global waste by 2035 and a minimum 25 per cent improvement in energy efficiency within the building sector over the same period.
The minister also drew attention to the environmental impact of food waste, noting that it accounts for approximately 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to methane releases. Methane is considered one of the most powerful greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
Meanwhile, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), called on governments to accelerate the implementation of their existing climate commitments.
Stiell warned that continued reliance on fossil fuels poses significant risks to economic stability while increasing the vulnerability of communities already facing the effects of climate change. He stressed the need for urgent progress in renewable energy deployment, climate adaptation measures, financing, food security initiatives and the development of resilient cities.
He urged nations to move beyond negotiations and focus on delivering commitments made under the Paris Climate Agreement.
The Bonn climate talks, which serve as a preparatory platform for future COP negotiations, are expected to focus on advancing practical climate solutions amid growing concerns over extreme weather events, energy security challenges and global economic uncertainty.
