The UK government said it has joined an international pledge at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, to electrify homes, transport and economies. Called '35 by 35', the Türkiye-led initiative seeks to raise electricity's portion of worldwide energy use to 35% by 2035. London also released a clean electrification roadmap, which it says outlines what it is doing to deliver the benefits of electrification to families and businesses.
What the pledge involves
According to the UK government, electricity today provides under a quarter of the world's energy. Countries signing up would cooperate to take that figure beyond a third by 2035, which the government says would reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and increase reliance on clean energy produced at home.
The government explained its backing by pointing to existing UN commitments made under the Global Stocktake: tripling renewables, doubling energy efficiency and moving away from fossil fuels by 2030. It said action on electrification has to proceed alongside faster progress on clean power globally.
Government's argument
The Prime Minister gave the UK's national statement at COP31 and, in the government's account, said the summit's electrification focus would deliver energy security, good jobs and lower bills. The government framed the move as a response to countries seeking energy security after years of global instability and fossil fuel price shocks. It added that global electricity demand is rising at more than double the pace of overall energy demand.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said a crisis thousands of miles away should not decide what British families pay for energy.
Domestic figures from the government
The government said the international push builds on the last two years of activity in Britain. The following numbers are its own claims, not independently verified:
- Clean energy investment of more than £110 billion has been announced since July 2024; the government says it has secured sufficient homegrown clean electricity for 23 million homes.
- Almost 500 schools and hospitals are receiving rooftop solar via Great British Energy.
- Up to £1 billion is available for more than 1,000 community energy projects.
- Electric vehicle sales set a record in September, with almost 100,000 sold. The government says motorists who switch can cut running costs by as much as £1,400 annually.
- Plug-in solar panels for households can, it says, provide up to 20% of a typical home's electricity and trim bills by up to £110 a year.
The government also said its Warm Homes Plan will help millions of households cut energy bills through measures including solar panels, batteries and heat pumps.
