COP31 will show up the folly of cleantech tariffs
TSLA•COP31 will push for electricity to supply 35% of global final energy demand by 2035, up from 23% today. The column argues tariffs on Chinese clean technologies risk slowing electrification, despite renewables’ cost and energy-security benefits.
1. COP31’s electrification goal
The United Nations climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, will promote a goal of raising electricity’s share of global final energy demand to 35% by 2035, from 23% currently. The column argues that electrification can reduce dependence on oil and gas, while renewables are generally faster and cheaper to install and are less exposed to volatile fossil-fuel prices.
2. Tariffs and China’s role
China produces most electric vehicles, solar panels and batteries, and the column says concerns about effects on Western industry are well-founded. The European Union relies on China for 74% of its cleantech imports and has imposed variable tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; the United States has levied import taxes of 100% on battery-powered cars, at least 50% on solar panels and 25% on lithium-ion batteries.
3. Energy measures and impacts
The column says final energy demand is a better measure than primary energy but argues that useful energy is more informative because it accounts for what powers appliances. It cites the International Energy Agency’s estimate that renewables supply 37% of electricity, and argues that accepting Chinese clean-technology goods while encouraging more overseas factories could ease trade tensions and leave the West time to develop next-generation technologies.
