INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY
IRENA Supports COP31 Presidency's Push to Raise Global Electrification to 35% by 2035

Speaking to delegates at the Bonn Climate Change Conference today, IRENA's Director-General Francesco La Camera welcomed the call by the COP31 President-Designate for a collective global electrification target of 35% by 2035. 

La Camera said: "IRENA has been working closely with the incoming COP31 Presidency, and I congratulate President-Designate Murat Kurum on his bold call for a global electrification target." Under IRENA's revised 1.5°C Scenario, electricity rises from around 23% of global final energy consumption today to 35% by 2035 and above 50% by 2050, becoming the dominant global energy carrier

La Camera added: "International co-operation will be critical to accelerating global electrification, and IRENA stands ready to leverage its global membership in support of a successful COP31 Presidency Action Agenda."

Electrification, supported by renewable power deployment, grid enhancement and energy efficiency improvements, represents a "no-regret" option that can simultaneously reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, improve affordability and support green industrialisation and competitiveness.

IRENA's recently published roadmap confirms electrification as one of the most immediate, scalable and cost-effective solutions available today. As energy demand continues to rise rapidly across transport, industry, buildings and digitalisation, the energy transition must now focus on electrifying these end-use sectors.

IRENA's Conference side-event on The Electrification Imperative: Winning the Demand-Side Race', co-hosted with Australia's Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) in cooperation with UNEP and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), included contributions by the Ministries of Türkiye and Australia as incoming President and Negotiations President at COP31 in addition to government and industry leaders.

More information in IRENA's recently published Transitioning away from fossil fuels: A roadmap based on renewables, electrification and grid enhancement.