World leaders to address COP31 as Turkey pushes for new climate deal
XLE•World leaders are set to speak at COP31 in Turkey on Wednesday and Thursday as negotiators seek agreement on a plan to increase electricity’s share of global energy use and revive efforts to move away from fossil fuels. Turkey is pushing for electricity to reach 35% of global energy consumption by 2035, up from a little over a fifth now.
1. Leaders address climate talks
Speeches by world leaders at COP31 in Antalya are scheduled to begin Wednesday and continue Thursday as delegates from nearly 200 countries negotiate climate measures. Former COP president Laurent Fabius said leaders could provide political impetus and that implementation is key.
2. Turkey pushes electrification
Turkey is urging governments to make a goal of increasing electricity’s share of total global energy consumption to 35% by 2035 central to a final deal, from a little over a fifth now. The proposal does not require new electricity to come from clean energy sources.
3. Fossil fuel transition unresolved
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries to set clear timelines for moving away from fossil fuels. The previous COP in Brazil did not reach consensus on a global plan, though its presidency has published a roadmap calling for countries to assess energy systems by 2028 and work together to reduce fossil fuel supply from 2031. The United States is absent for a second year.
