Electrify Now coalition backs COP31 Global Electrification Pledge

As nations gather in the Pacific for Pre-COP, the Electrify Now coalition – backed by over 70 business groups, think tanks and civil society organisations around the world – has signalled its support for the COP31 Presidency's 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge, encouraging governments to sign on as the first step in a strong COP31 package of outcomes that accelerates electrification of the global economy. 

Against the backdrop of an extended fossil fuel price crisis and escalating heatwaves, wildfires, melting glaciers and floods, COP31 offers an historic opportunity to put forward a bold and coordinated response on energy and climate security, centred on electrification, to complement and support the existing goals to triple renewables and double energy efficiency. Governments should seize it.

Electrification, backed by renewable energy and complemented by energy efficiency, is a cornerstone for decarbonising global energy systems and transitioning away from fossil fuels. At the same time, electrification can boost energy access, energy productivity, affordability and security, through greater energy independence based on domestically generated clean power.

According to analysis from both the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency, the COP31 Presidency’s objective to raise collective global ambition on electrification to 35% of final energy consumption by 2035 reflects the pace of global action required to close the implementation gap and keep 1.5°C within reach.

Businesses are calling for accelerated clean electrification. The global business statement, Seizing the Electric Advantage, launched in June, has already been signed by more than 100 companies representing over USD 1.5 trillion in annual revenue, and continues to grow. Signatories call on governments to send clear international signals that clean, electrified energy systems are a shared economic priority, and to back these with coherent domestic policies.

A joint pledge on electrification from governments – combined with a COP31 package focused on implementation and backed by domestic delivery – can build the market confidence to plan, mobilise and invest in renewable backed electrification.   

Electrify Now looks forward to working with the COP31 Presidency, governments and partners across the global community to translate this growing political momentum into real delivery across sectors, regions and economies.

Electrify Now is a movement of business groups, think tanks, civil society organisations and governments, united by a shared mission: to accelerate the rate and rollout of electrification, and fast-track our renewable, electric future.

The movement is structured around two complementary coalitions.

• Business groups, think tanks and civil society organisations: communicating the opportunities and showcasing the benefits of electrification, identifying barriers to deployment, and contributing technical expertise and policy advice on solutions that can unlock faster implementation.

  
  

• Governments: set political direction; exchanging policy, regulatory and technical experience; bringing forward national and regional examples; and supporting stronger ambition, practical policy tools, progress tracking and investment mobilisation.

  
  

Each sets its own priorities and is responsible for its own activities and outputs. The coalitions communicate and coordinate where this can help advance their shared ambition to accelerate clean electrification.