COP's electricity push aims to bypass fossil fuel deadlock

The UN climate conference opening today prioritizes electricity, aiming for it to comprise 35 percent of the global energy mix by 2035, a strategy to bypass deadlock over fossil fuels. COP hosts Australia and Turkey propose this voluntary target to bridge divisions, as oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia have blocked previous agreements mentioning fossil fuels. The goal builds on 2023 pledges to triple renewables and double energy efficiency. Elektrification is seen as an indirect path to reducing fossil fuel use, with the IEA deeming it feasible and noting Europe could aim higher. Achieving it would cut oil consumption by 18 million barrels daily by 2035.