COP31 President launches '35x35' global electrification target at Bonn Climate Summit
Synopsis
At Bonn's UN climate meetings, COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum launched the '35x35' target — a collective global goal to raise electricity's share of final energy demand from 20% to 35% by 2035. Backed by IEA and IRENA analysis, and partnered with Australia for special reports, this is the most concrete deliverable yet from the COP31 Presidency's Action Agenda ahead of the summit in Türkiye.
Key Takeaways
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum launched the '35x35' electrification target at the Bonn Climate Change Conference on 9 June .
The target aims to raise electricity's share of global final energy demand from over 20% to 35% by 2035 , covering buildings, transport, and industry.
A separate goal targets halving global waste growth by 2035 ; food waste alone contributes 10% of global emissions .
A Resilient Cities target calls for at least a 25% reduction in building-sector energy consumption intensity by 2035 .
The IEA , commissioned by the COP31 Presidency and Australia , will deliver special reports mapping pathways to the 35x35 goal.
All targets are grounded in IEA and IRENA analysis and are designed to support the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit.
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum on Tuesday, 9 June unveiled a landmark global electrification target at the UN Bonn Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, calling for the share of final energy demand met by electricity to rise from just over 20 per cent today to 35 per cent by 2035. The initiative, branded the '35x35' target, is the flagship of the COP31 Presidency's Action Agenda and aims to accelerate the shift away from direct fossil fuel use across buildings, transport, and industry.
What the Electrification Target Proposes
Kurum, who also serves as Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, presented the target to delegates as a collective global goal underpinned by analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The target is designed to support implementation of the Paris Agreement and keep the world on a pathway consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The COP31 Presidency also committed to building a global coalition to drive implementation.
Additional Targets Announced
Beyond electrification, Kurum announced a goal to halve global waste growth by 2035 as part of COP31's thematic focus on achieving zero waste. Food waste alone accounts for 10 per cent of global emissions, primarily through methane — a greenhouse gas reportedly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. A further target under the Presidency's Resilient Cities priority calls for reducing energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25 per cent by 2035, a measure framed as protecting families and businesses from rising energy costs.
New Initiatives Under Development
Kurum also shared details on initiatives being developed by the Presidency covering food security, circular materials in manufacturing, and climate education. He elaborated on the Climate Implementation Bridge, a mechanism designed to tighten the link between national climate, economic, and development priorities, enabling finance to reach the ground more rapidly and with greater impact.
IEA Commissioned for Special Reports
In support of the 35x35 target, the COP31 Presidency, in partnership with Australia, has commissioned the IEA to deliver special reports mapping pathways to achieving the electrification goal and analysing the benefits of halving waste growth and boosting circular waste management systems. This builds on the Presidency's existing collaboration with IRENA to identify how electrification can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. The Bonn meetings serve as a critical preparatory stage ahead of COP31, scheduled to be hosted by Türkiye.
Point of View
Yet past COP presidencies have produced landmark studies that did not move domestic policy in major emitting nations. The inclusion of waste and building-efficiency targets alongside electrification signals a broader Action Agenda, but risks diluting focus. The real test will be whether Türkiye, as host of COP31, can convert these non-negotiated targets into country-level commitments with measurable timelines — something previous presidencies have struggled to achieve.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the '35x35' global electrification target launched at Bonn?
The '35x35' target is a collective global goal to increase the share of final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20 per cent today to 35 per cent by 2035. It was launched by COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum at the Bonn Climate Change Conference on 9 June and is backed by analysis from the IEA and IRENA.
Who is COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum?
Murat Kurum is Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change and serves as the President-Designate for COP31, the upcoming UN climate conference to be hosted by Türkiye. He presented the Action Agenda targets to delegates at the Bonn Climate Change Conference.
How does the electrification target support the Paris Agreement?
The target is designed to keep the world on a pathway consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement's core ambition. It focuses on shifting buildings, transport, and industry away from direct fossil fuel use toward clean electricity.
What other targets did the COP31 Presidency announce at Bonn?
Beyond electrification, the Presidency announced a goal to halve global waste growth by 2035 and a target to reduce energy consumption intensity in the building sector by at least 25 per cent by 2035. Additional initiatives on food security, circular materials in manufacturing, and climate education are also under development.
What role does Australia play in the COP31 electrification initiative?
Australia is partnering with the COP31 Presidency to commission the IEA to produce special reports mapping pathways to achieving the 35x35 electrification target and analysing the benefits of halving waste growth and boosting circular waste management systems.
