--- title: COP31 presidencies talk electrification while staying silent on fossil-fuel phase-out date: 2026-09-22T10:59:59Z modified: 2026-09-22T12:34:03Z permalink: "https://350.org/press-release/cop31-presidencies-talk-electrification-while-staying-silent-on-fossil-fuel-phase-out/" type: press-release status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 175531909 author: kimbryan timestamp: 2026-09-22T12:34:03Z tags: [] --- 350.org says Türkiye and Australia must match climate rhetoric with concrete action to end fossil-fuel expansion and deliver a just transition COP31 co-presidents Türkiye and Australia are promoting electrification and climate action while failing to put the fossil-fuel phase-out at the center of its agenda, 350.org said today. As the 81st United Nations General Assembly is takes place this week against a backdrop of war, geopolitical instability and a deepening climate and energy crisis, [350.org](http://350.org) said that ending fossil-fuel dependence is especially critical to bring down costs of living and limit the risks of a rapidly warming and destabilising climate. At the New York Climate Week, the Turkish COP31 Presidency launched its “35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge”, calling for electricity to account for 35% of global final energy consumption by 2035, alongside initiatives on grids, buildings, transport, industry and artificial intelligence. 350.org said the ambition to accelerate electrification must be matched by an equally clear commitment to rapidly phase out coal, oil and gas and ensure that growing electricity demand is met with renewable energy. The organization also raised concerns over the Presidency’s approach to finance for developing countries, which includes a platform to match countries with finance and technology, rather than clear commitments to the affordable public finance and technology transfer needed to deliver a just transition. Ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speeches at the UNGA, [350.org](http://350.org) also said that both leaders cannot credibly claim climate leadership while they continue to expand fossil fuels at home. Earlier this month, the Australian Government [approved](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/03/saraji-qld-bhp-bma-coal-project-approved-2055-angering-climate-groups) an expansion of BHP’s Saraji coal mine, allowing a further 55 million tonnes of coal to be extracted. The Albanese Government has also approved 37 new, expanded or extended [coal, oil and gas](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/03/saraji-qld-bhp-bma-coal-project-approved-2055-angering-climate-groups) developments since taking office in 2022. Meanwhile, Türkiye, already Europe’s biggest coal-power generator, is planning for roughly 30% more coal and gas power capacity by 2035. Türkiye’s coal fleet is also expanding, with plans to increase the capacity of the CENAL coal power plant in Karabiga, Çanakkale by 80%. **Savio Carvalho, Head of Campaigns and Networks at 350.org, said:** “The COP31 co-presidents are supposed to be leading the global transition away from fossil fuels. Yet as governments gather in New York, we are seeing a striking disconnect between the rhetoric and the reality. Türkiye is talking about electrification, grids and the growing energy demand of AI, but it is conspicuously silent on the most important question: how do we rapidly end our dependence on coal, oil and gas? “Electrification can be a powerful part of the energy transition, but electrifying the economy while leaving fossil fuels at its heart is not a transition. We need to electrify fast, power that electrification with renewables, and phase out fossil fuels at the same time. As electricity demand grows, particularly from AI and data centres, governments must be clear that this demand will be met by genuinely renewable energy rather than opening the door to new forms of fossil-fuel or other high-carbon infrastructure. “And there is a huge gap when it comes to finance. Developing countries cannot simply be asked to find investors or be matched with sources of finance. They need access to affordable public finance, technology and support to build resilient, locally owned clean energy systems. “COP31 cannot be about announcing another set of initiatives whose implementation is pushed into the future. Every moment matters. Every gathering of governments must be used to accelerate action and make decisions that reduce fossil-fuel dependence now.” **Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Program Lead at 350.org, said:** “There is no room for further fossil-fuel expansion, full stop. The Pacific is already living with the consequences of a fossil-fuelled climate crisis, and we know that what our communities are experiencing today will be faced by many more communities around the world. It is absurd that wealthy countries can see this trajectory and still argue that fossil fuels can continue to be extracted because they are destined for export. Fossil fuels burned anywhere threaten lives everywhere. Australia has a responsibility to provide a clear timeline for transitioning away from both its domestic and exported fossil-fuel industry. If it wants to lead COP31, it must lead towards a renewable-powered future — not prolong the fossil-fuel system that is driving the crisis.” **Efe Baysal, [350.org](http://350.org) Türkiye Lead said:** “Droughts, wildfires and sinkholes are already reshaping Turkish farmland and communities. Households are struggling to afford basic necessities as energy costs remain high. Hosting COP31 is not just a diplomatic opportunity, it’s a chance to change course. Türkiye has already made important progress in expanding wind and solar power. We ask the Turkish government to build on this momentum for global climate leadership by pairing electrification goals with concrete action to transition away from fossil fuels. This is the time for political courage: to set an example by finally announcing a coal phase-out with a clear timeline.” **350.org is calling on the COP31 co-presidencies to:** - Commit to a clear and time-bound phase-out of coal, oil and gas, including fossil-fuel exports. - Set concrete transition timelines and implementation plans ahead of COP31. - Ensure electrification is powered by renewable energy, rather than allowing rising electricity demand to justify further fossil-fuel expansion. - Deliver meaningful public finance and technology transfer to enable developing countries to undertake a just and affordable energy transition. - Use COP31 to drive action now, rather than deferring critical decisions to future summits. \###