# Turkey and Australia set electrification target for COP31

> Turkey's environment minister and Australia's climate minister will lead the U.N. climate conference in November, pushing countries to reach 35% electrification by 2035.
- Title: Turkey and Australia set electrification target for COP31
- Summary: Turkey's environment minister and Australia's climate minister will lead the U.N.
- Keywords: cop31, murat kurum, chris bowen, turkey, australia, electrification, climate conference, energy transition, emissions reduction, TIME
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/collection/time100-climate/2026/murat-kurum-chris-bowen
- Published: 2026-11-09T13:01:05.891+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cop31, murat kurum, chris bowen, turkey, australia, electrification, climate conference, energy transition, emissions reduction
## Turkey and Australia lead COP31
Turkey will host the annual U.N.climate conference COP31 in November this year.Murat Kurum, Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, will serve as COP31 president.
## The 35-by-35 electrification pledge
The conference will push countries to set a target of 35% electrification by 2035.Electricity currently meets just 21% of global energy demand.
## Why electrification matters now
Murat Kurum says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz opened a window for energy transition.He calls it the second energy crisis in five years, showing the risks of depending on imported fuels.

> The single largest disruption in the history of modern energy markets demonstrated the inherent risks of depending on imported fuels.
## Action needed from all sectors
Kurum says governments should mainstream electrification targets into national plans and invest accordingly.Companies should electrify vehicle fleets, buildings and industrial processes.Households can participate by switching to energy efficient electric technology.
## Key takeaway

Turkey and Australia will co-host COP31 in November, with their climate ministers pushing a global target of 35% electrification by 2035 to cut emissions and boost energy security.