Germany has announced its support for Turkey's electrification target introduced ahead of COP31. The German side noted that this approach could accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Jochen Flasbarth, a senior official from the German Environment Ministry, stated that Turkey appears determined to advance the Paris Agreement while chairing the global climate summit scheduled for November next year.
The statements were made in Bonn, where preparations for COP31 are underway. Thousands of climate negotiators are shaping technical texts and narrowing disagreements this week and next, ahead of the summit to be held in Antalya.
During the Bonn process, Turkey will host the summit while Australia will conduct the official negotiations. This phase is a critical platform where texts are refined before political leaders make decisions at the U.N. Climate Conference.
Behind the talks is the impact of the Middle East conflict, which has driven up energy and commodity prices. The warning that fossil fuel-dependent economies are more vulnerable to supply shocks strengthens calls for renewable energy.
Turkey and Australia encourage countries to shift towards renewable resources to reduce reliance on unreliable energy imports. In Bonn, Turkey proposed that 35% of global energy demand be met by electricity by 2035.
This proposal aims to reduce the use of oil, coal, and gas in transportation, heavy industry, and home heating. It targets broader adoption of technologies such as electric industrial furnaces, electric vehicles, and heat pumps.
Other topics Turkey raised include halving global waste growth by 2035 and increasing the circular material usage rate to at least 15%.
Flasbarth welcomed the growing prioritization of electrification in transportation, construction, and industry sectors, describing these as the backbone of a successful energy transition.
The official said the electrification target sends a strong message for investments in grids, renewable energy, and modern infrastructure. He added that it provides predictability for companies, investors, and governments and could accelerate the energy transition.
Currently, about 20% of global energy demand is met by electricity. The majority of the remainder comes from fossil fuels, while biofuels and waste account for roughly 10%.
Approximately 6,500 delegates are attending the ten-day annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn this year. Governments, scientific communities, businesses, and civil society representatives participate, representing nearly all U.N. member states.
Environmental organizations also view the target positively. Fernanda de Carvalho from WWF expressed support for the electrification goal but emphasized that it must clearly accelerate the move away from fossil fuels to serve the Paris Agreement.
De Carvalho noted that simply increasing electricity is insufficient if that electricity is generated from coal, oil, and gas. She added that developing countries will need financial and technological support for a fair and effective transition.
Murat Kurum, who will serve as COP31 president, said on Tuesday that the target aims to protect families and businesses from volatile energy markets. Kurum stated they will try to form a coalition of countries supporting this goal.
Kurum also said they will work closely with developing economies to facilitate technical assistance, capacity building, and access to finance. The electrification target is planned as a voluntary commitment, not a legally binding agreement, at COP31, which will include about 200 countries.
Disruptions in oil and gas markets due to the Iran war have accelerated electrification trends in some countries. Demand for electric vehicles has reportedly risen in South Korea, Japan, and Italy following the conflict.
Electrification reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing direct fossil fuel use with electricity generated from low-carbon sources. It is also highlighted that global electricity production is decarbonizing faster than other economic sectors.
