The UK is lagging behind other major economies on electrification of its energy system, ranking 15th in the G20, according to new analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

As COP31 toys with a proposed new target of 35 per cent electrification by 2035, the analysis of the latest (2024) data from the International Energy Agency shows South Korea has already exceeded this target, with Japan close at 34.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, as of 2024 the UK was averaging 22.1 per cent electrification of its industry, buildings and transportation sectors, underperforming peer economies like France and Australia as well as emerging economies such as Indonesia and South Africa.

Gareth Redmond-King, head of the international programme at ECIU said: “While foreign conflicts and the decisions of distant governments can send oil and gas prices soaring, the more of your economy you power with clean electricity generated at home, the less vulnerable you are to wars, price spikes and geopolitical shocks. Electrification is not only a climate goal, it’s an energy security strategy that provides a real solution to the multiple fossil fuel driven cost-of-living crises we’ve experienced over the last several years, while also cutting dangerous climate-changing emissions.”

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