Politics
The global climate conference (COP31), currently under way in Antalya, Türkiye, focused on transforming the global energy system on its second day.
The global climate conference (COP31), currently under way in Antalya, Türkiye, focused on transforming the global energy system on its second day. Member countries discussed how to move away from coal, oil and gas, expand the use of clean energy, and overcome the financial and infrastructure barriers hindering this transition.
Brazil presented a roadmap for transitioning to clean energy, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about the economic costs of continued dependence on fossil fuels. Türkiye unveiled its 35 by 35 initiative to accelerate the electrification of energy use worldwide. Conference participants were told that outdated or inadequate electricity transmission systems and expensive financing could slow the transition to clean energy. Commenting on Brazil's release of its roadmap, Antonio Guterres said the time had passed for treating the phase-out of fossil fuels as a taboo or an impractical proposition. Following the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the European Union has had to spend more than €100 billion in additional costs on fossil fuel imports, while petrol and diesel prices have risen significantly in 130 countries. Guterres said that simply changing fuel suppliers would not eliminate the risk, as disruptions anywhere in the world could drive up energy prices everywhere.
Brazil first released the roadmap on November 3, but it was formally presented at COP31. Its purpose is to incorporate the global commitment to phasing out fossil fuels into countries' national climate plans. Each country faces different challenges in this regard. Oil- and gas-producing countries will have to prepare for potential future declines in revenue and changes in employment and industries. Meanwhile, countries dependent on imported fuels will need to develop alternative energy sources that can protect them from fluctuations in global energy prices. For both groups of countries, the central challenge is securing the investment, infrastructure and international cooperation required to make the transition to clean energy possible. Ana Toni, Chief Executive Officer of Brazil's COP presidency last year, said the roadmap examined three interconnected areas: demand for fossil fuels, their production and supply, and the economic consequences of gradually phasing them out. It also provides member countries with various indicators to assess their preparedness identify obstacles and plan future steps. In addition, it includes proposals for strengthening international cooperation. The roadmap is voluntary in nature and is not a new legally binding climate agreement. However, the UN Secretary-General urged member countries to prepare national climate plans with clear timelines and financing requirements, and to demonstrate measurable progress by 2028.
Türkiye has also set an important target: increasing electricity's share of total global energy consumption from the current 20 per cent to 35 per cent by 2035. The global electrification pledge, presented under the name 35 by 35, may appear technical, but its concept is straightforward. It involves replacing diesel-powered buses with electric ones, heating homes with electricity instead of gas, and shifting factories to electric power. However, to achieve environmental benefits, the electricity used must increasingly come from clean and renewable sources.
Another important topic discussed at COP31 was electricity transmission infrastructure. Dario Liguti, affiliated with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), told UN News that projects with the capacity to generate approximately 2,500 gigawatts of electricity worldwide are waiting to be connected to transmission networks. Some projects cannot be connected to the grid at all, while others have to reduce their electricity generation because existing networks lack the capacity to transmit the power they produce. He highlighted two measures to address this problem: expanding the capacity of electricity transmission systems and improving their quality. This will require laying millions of kilometers of new transmission lines as well as modernising existing networks.
The UN Secretary-General warned that the global energy crisis had exposed the risks of dependence on fossil fuels. However, Dario Liguti also sees a positive aspect to the crisis. He said the situation was encouraging large-scale investment in renewable energy and accelerating its adoption. He explained that renewable electricity strengthens energy security because it can be generated from domestic resources, eliminating the need to import oil and gas. Solar and wind energy projects can be built in relatively short periods. However, their success depends on having adequate systems in place to deliver the electricity they generate to consumers.
Over the past decade, the cost of generating electricity from solar and wind power has fallen significantly. However, the initial investment required for such projects remains a major obstacle for developing countries. Olli-Pekka Koskela, a researcher affiliated with the United Nations University, told UN News that poorer countries have to pay considerably higher interest rates on loans. This makes it difficult for them to secure financing for clean energy projects, even when the technology involved is relatively inexpensive. He said the initial investment in clean technologies such as solar and wind energy could be substantial. Access to capital and the availability of loans at affordable interest rates are therefore extremely important. Development banks can help address this challenge by providing loans at lower interest rates.
Another major challenge is making electricity systems resilient enough to withstand the effects of climate change. Citing Zambia as an example, Olli-Pekka Koskela explained that a severe drought had reduced hydropower generation in the country, forcing authorities to introduce power cuts and rationing. To prevent similar problems in the future, increasing solar power generation and strengthening electricity transmission links with neighbouring countries could prove helpful.
