Leaders and representatives from nearly 200 countries have gathered in the Turkish city of Antalya for the United Nations climate summit, COP31, to discuss ways to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Reuters, one of the main issues under discussion is a proposal to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption from about 20% today to 35% by 2035.
Turkey, which is hosting the summit, is seeking to have the target included in the final agreement among participating countries.
However, critics say the proposal does not specify that the additional electricity should come from clean energy sources and, on its own, may not be enough to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged countries to set clear timetables for reducing their use of oil, gas and coal.
The summit is taking place amid warnings from the United Nations that the world is on course to exceed the target of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement.
