Clean electricity…a new global goal leading the path of energy transformation

International efforts are increasingly moving towards enhancing reliance on clean electricity as one of the main paths to reducing carbon emissions and reducing dependence onfossil fuels. In this context, Turkey, which is hosting the United Nations Climate Conference COP31 this year, put forward a proposal aimed at raising the contribution of electricity in meeting global energy demand to 35% by 2035, compared to about 20% currently.

The proposal aims to accelerate the shift towards the use of electricity in a number of sectors that still rely heavily on oil, coal and gas, including transportation, heavy industries and heating systems. The countries supporting this trend also believe that expanding clean electricity can contribute to enhancing energy security and reducing vulnerability to fluctuations in traditional fuel markets.

This file is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the seventh goal on clean and affordable energy, and the ninth goal on industry, innovation and infrastructure, in addition to the thirteenth goal on climate action, as clean electricity represents one of the most important tools used to support the transition towards a low-emission economy.

Why are countries moving towards clean electricity?

Growing calls to expand the use of electricity are based on the role it can play in reducing fossil fuel consumption within the most energy-consuming sectors. Instead of running transportation on traditional fuels, investments in electric cars are expanding, and some industries are turning to low-emission electric ovens and technologies.

The transformation also includes heating and cooling systems, as heat pumps and modern electrical technologies that help improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions are becoming increasingly important. Experts confirm that increasing reliance on electricity in these sectors represents an important step towards achieving global climate goals.

Countries are also seeking to enhance the role of electricity in the global energy mix to confront the challenges associated with climate change, especially with increasing pressure on governments to reduce emissions and achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Global crises accelerate the transition to electricity

Recent geopolitical developments have demonstrated how sensitive energy markets are to international tensions. The turmoil that affected the oil and gas markets has led to increased interest in electric alternatives in a number of countries, as a way to reduce the impact of fluctuations in traditional fuel prices.

International reports indicate that some countries have witnessed an increase in demand for electric cars during the recent period, including South Korea, Japan, and Italy, as an increasing number of consumers have tended to search for options that reduce dependence on traditional fuel in light of price fluctuations.

Governments also believe that expanding reliance on clean electricity can enhance energy security in the long term, by reducing dependence on oil and gas imports and expanding the use of low-emission domestic energy sources.

Is all the world’s electricity clean?

Despite the importance of switching to electricity, increasing its consumption does not necessarily mean automatically reducing emissions. The environmental impact of electricity depends mainly on the sources of its production.

In some countries, such as France and Sweden, a large percentage of electricity is produced from low-emission sources, including nuclear energy and renewable energy, which makes switching to electricity an effective tool for reducing the carbon footprint.

On the other hand, other countries still rely heavily on coal to generate electricity, including some major economies such as China and India. In these cases, expanding electricity use may lead to limited emissions reduction results if it is not accompanied by parallel efforts to decarbonize the energy production sector.

For this reason, experts confirm that the success of the transition towards clean electricity requires the expansion of low-emission energy sources in parallel with increased reliance on electricity within various economic sectors.

Clean electricity and sustainable development

Clean electricity represents one of the basic pillars of achieving the global energy transition, as it provides opportunities to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and support industrial and technological innovation. Expanding their use also contributes to improving air quality and reducing the environmental impacts associated with burning fossil fuels.

At the same time, achieving these goals requires providing the necessary financing, technology, and capacity building, especially in developing countries that seek to meet their development needs while adhering to climate goals.

In conclusion,The Earth Guards Foundation highlights the importance of supporting the expansion of clean electricity as an essential element in efforts to transition towards more sustainable energy systems. It also confirms that the success of this path depends on increasing electricity production from low-emission sources, ensuring the desired environmental and economic benefits for current and future generations.