The Electrifying Future: Why 35% by 2035 Could Change Everything
There’s a bold idea floating around the halls of global climate talks, and it’s not just about wind turbines or solar panels. It’s about electricity—lots of it. Murat Kurum, Turkey’s environment minister and co-host of the upcoming COP31 summit, has thrown down the gauntlet: by 2035, a third of the world’s energy needs should come from electricity. On the surface, it sounds like a technical target. But if you take a step back and think about it, this is a seismic shift in how we power our lives.
Why Electricity? Why Now?
What makes this particularly fascinating is the timing. We’re living through what Chris Bowen, Australia’s climate change minister, aptly calls “the worst energy crisis in our history.” Oil prices are soaring past $100 a barrel thanks to the Iran war, and fossil fuels are proving as unreliable as ever. Meanwhile, renewable energy is cheaper than ever. Personally, I think this moment is a perfect storm—a crisis that forces us to rethink everything. Electrification isn’t just a climate solution; it’s an economic lifeline.
But here’s the kicker: while electricity generation is already one-third renewable, sectors like transport, heating, and industry are still stuck in the fossil fuel age. Four-fifths of our energy still comes from coal, oil, and gas. That’s not just a problem—it’s a missed opportunity. Electrifying these sectors could slash emissions, stabilize energy prices, and even improve energy security for vulnerable regions like the Pacific islands.
The Hidden Implications
One thing that immediately stands out is how this target challenges our assumptions. For years, we’ve focused on renewable energy generation, but electrification is the missing piece of the puzzle. It’s not just about producing clean energy—it’s about using it everywhere. Imagine a world where electric vehicles dominate the roads, heat pumps warm our homes, and industries run on clean power. This isn’t science fiction; the technology exists. What’s missing is the political will.
What many people don’t realize is that electrification also addresses energy poverty. Bowen’s example of helping African communities transition to clean cooking is spot-on. It’s not just about cutting emissions; it’s about improving lives. From my perspective, this is where the real potential lies—not in abstract targets, but in tangible, life-changing outcomes.
The Broader Trends
If you zoom out, this target fits into a larger trend: the world is finally waking up to the urgency of climate action. Simon Stiell, the UN climate chief, put it bluntly: “We’re witnessing the imperative to accelerate now.” Deadly heatwaves, the threat of a “super El Niño,” and rising energy costs are forcing governments to act. But here’s the irony: while the need is clear, the path forward is messy.
Take Turkey’s focus on waste reduction, for instance. It’s a noble goal, but some activists are skeptical. Emine Erdoğan’s national waste initiative is commendable, but it feels like a sideshow compared to the electrification target. Personally, I think this highlights a broader issue: climate action is often fragmented, with countries prioritizing pet projects over systemic change.
The Future: Bold or Broken?
So, will 35% by 2035 actually happen? In my opinion, it’s possible—but only if we get serious. The International Energy Agency’s upcoming report will be crucial, but reports alone won’t cut it. We need investment, policy, and public buy-in. What this really suggests is that electrification isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s a cultural one.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the joint presidency of COP31 between Turkey and Australia. It’s a rare moment of cooperation, but it also raises questions. Will they align on priorities, or will this become a bureaucratic tug-of-war? If you ask me, the success of COP31 hinges on their ability to work together—and to inspire the rest of the world.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line: electrification is more than a target. It’s a vision for a future where energy is clean, affordable, and accessible. But it’s also a test of our collective will. Can we move beyond incremental change and embrace transformation? Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic. The pieces are there—we just need to put them together.
What this really suggests is that the next decade won’t just be about energy; it’ll be about everything. How we power our lives will shape our economies, our societies, and our planet. And if we get it right, 35% by 2035 could be the starting point for a revolution.
