NEW DELHI: The UN climate conference (COP31) presidency in Antalya, Turkiye, on Tuesday pitched for “35-by-35” global electrification pledge that aims to raise electricity’s share of the world’s final energy consumption from about 23 percent today to 35 percent by 2035, asking countries and businesses to join the initiative that will help the world in transitioning away from fossil fuels.Since the global electrification goal is a voluntary initiative of the COP31 presidency as a key headline issue of the current conference, many countries, including India, may not formally join this move being taken outside the formal negotiation process, even as most of them welcomed it in principle.India, which has already taken a big leap towards renewable energy and is gradually moving towards increasing its clean energy footprint, is expected to flag that the voluntary initiatives under the Presidency Action Agenda should remain separate from negotiations and that uniform global targets must respect national circumstances. In India, electricity currently makes up roughly 22 percent of the country’s total final energy consumption, with the remainder dominated by oil, coal and natural gas.The COP31 global electrification pledge, designed to usher in the “age of electricity”, will be achieved through electrifying transport, buildings and industry and will support global efforts to enhance energy security, expand energy access and reduce costs and emissions. The “35-by-35” target is based on the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) analysis of what is needed to keep the world on a pathway consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.“The COP31 Presidency is determined to chart a path forward and use the annual UN summit to build momentum. We are bringing everyone together to support each other and build collective momentum. The age of electricity is taking shape – and COP31 will be remembered as the moment we flicked the switch,” said COP31 President Murat Kurum while making the pitch for the “35-by-35” target.India, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at COP31.
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Delivering India’s opening statement at COP31, Union environment secretary Narendra Bhooshan reiterated the country’s commitment to “contributing its fair share to global climate action while pursuing the development and well-being of its people”.On the critical issue of climate finance, he emphasised that public finance from developed countries remains central to catalysing climate action in developing countries and strengthening adaptation finance flows to address their vulnerabilities.
