COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum has unveiled the Presidency’s flagship electrification pledge to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035, as well as initiatives to electrify buildings, transport and industry, supported by modern grids.

Kurum has also announced the Antalya Pledge on AI and the AI for Clean Tech initiative to address the rising energy consumption of data centres and harness AI’s potential for climate action.

“A warming world, a global energy system in disarray, and growing fears of the rise of AI all demand action,” Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, said in a statement ahead of the launch. “COP31 will meet this moment.”

The full COP31 initiatives cover areas from waste materials to food, but it is the electrification element that stands out, with its flagship “35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge.” The pledge sets out a global ambition to advance electrification, recognising different national circumstances and pathways.

Highlighting the enabling role of clean power, storage, system flexibility, modern and resilient grids, it will also address re thorny issue of mobilising finance and international cooperation, particularly to support developing countries.

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