COP31 president-designate Murat Kurum has launched a target for 35% of the world's final energy to come from electricity by 2035, aiming to keep the 1.5C Paris Agreement target within reach. The urgency for renewables and electrification is highlighted due to the ongoing Hormuz crisis, with countries like the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, and Ethiopia welcoming the target. This initiative focuses on electrification as a key action agenda to drive progress in reducing global emissions, particularly in critical sectors like buildings, transport, and industry. Financial support for developing countries and investment in grids and infrastructure are crucial, with the target aiming to triple renewable energy capacity and take advantage of falling costs. Turkey is also taking ambitious steps, planning to reach 120GW of renewable capacity by 2035, with the target expected to be central to discussions at COP31 to align global efforts and send a clear market signal.
Author: Carbonbrief
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Cropped 1 July 2026: Heatwave scorches Europe | UK 2050 farm plan | What’s next for the High Seas Treaty
Climate solutions experts need to address the significant impacts of record-breaking heatwaves on agriculture, such as livestock and crop losses, and the need for increased resilience in food production. The European parliament's approval of rules for gene-edited plants and consideration of changes in methane emissions measurement are key steps in combating climate change. Protecting and managing the high seas, with a focus on creating marine protected areas, is crucial for mitigating climate impacts, especially in African states. New science shows the long-term loss of global plant and animal species due to oil crop cultivation, highlighting the importance of addressing local realities and inequalities in climate-smart agriculture. Preparation for upcoming events like the global conference on "smart farming" and the launch of the "state of food security and nutrition in the world" report are essential for effective climate solutions implementation.
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Mombasa: Key outcomes from the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya
The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya saw countries commit to political declarations on banning deep-sea mining, protecting coral reefs, and combating illegal fishing. African countries played a key role in driving ambition on fisheries transparency and marine protected areas, with 320 commitments made, including funding for research and waste management programs. The High Seas Treaty, entering into force in January 2026, will allow countries to establish MPAs in international waters to achieve the "30 by 30" target. Discussions on deep-sea mining included calls for a precautionary pause, while commitments were made to protect climate-resilient coral reefs. The summit also focused on advancing fisheries transparency and sustainable management, with a need to address overfishing and integrate climate change considerations for long-term sustainability.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/mombasa-key-outcomes-from-the-our-ocean-conference-in-kenya/
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DeBriefed 22 May 2026: UN adopts landmark resolution | Trump takes on ‘RCP8.5’ | Climate migration
The UN has adopted a resolution supporting a world court opinion stating countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, urging transitioning away from fossil fuels and enhancing multilateral cooperation. The UK Climate Change Committee highlighted the need for investing in adaptation to produce long-term savings. Countries are aiming to cut emissions by 87% by 2040 and focusing on electrifying everything to decarbonize electricity generation. The future of mobility is seen as a part of the solution to climate change, with migration being a key aspect of adaptation, emphasizing the need for sustainable recovery plans post-pandemic to ensure long-term emission reductions and the role of renewable energy in driving down emissions.
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Q&A: China’s leadership calls for ‘strict control’ of fossil fuels
China's new 'opinions' document on climate policy emphasizes the importance of energy security and decarbonization, marking a significant step towards controlling fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The document connects decarbonization efforts with energy security and industrial development for the first time at a high-level policy level, highlighting the role of low-carbon energy in China's energy system. It focuses on limiting coal use, increasing non-fossil energy consumption, and covering all new power demand with clean energy. The document also strengthens climate evaluation rules, with measures for reviewing and evaluating carbon-reduction efforts and grading local governments on their carbon-reduction efforts. Provinces failing to meet control indicators will face corrective measures, showing a commitment to accountability and compliance in achieving climate targets.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-chinas-leadership-calls-for-strict-control-of-fossil-fuels/
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Revealed: Scientists tell Colombia fossil-fuel transition summit to ‘halt new expansion’
Around 50 nations will gather in Santa Marta, Colombia to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels, following the failure to agree on a roadmap at COP30. A preliminary scientific report, created by a group of 24 scientists, offers recommendations such as halting new fossil fuel expansion and phasing out subsidies. The report, with "action insights" and prescriptive recommendations, will be further refined before being made public at the end of April. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations for countries to transition away from fossil fuels, with the aim of encouraging immediate climate action and informing a global roadmap being developed by the Brazilian COP30 presidency.
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Analysis: How ‘plug-in solar’ can save UK homes £1,100 on energy bills
Plug-in solar panels have the potential to save households money on electricity bills, with a payback period of around 5 years and potential lifetime savings of £1,100. The UK government's clean-energy measures include the introduction of plug-in solar panels, which can be easily installed on balconies and in gardens. If 3 million households adopt plug-in solar, it could generate 1.2 terawatt hours of energy, saving households over £330 million and reducing imported LNG. This technology not only benefits homeowners but also allows renters to participate in the clean energy transition and benefit from clean energy in their homes.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-how-plug-in-solar-can-save-uk-homes-1100-on-energy-bills/
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Q&A: New UK onshore wind and solar is ‘50% cheaper’ than new gas
The UK government's latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction has secured a record 7.4GW of solar, onshore wind, and tidal power, making it the largest auction round to date. Contracts were agreed at competitive prices of £65/MWh for solar and £72/MWh for onshore wind, below recent wholesale power prices. These projects will help cut consumer bills, reduce gas imports, and lower gas demand by 95TWh per year. The auction results highlight the economic viability of renewable energy sources, with onshore wind and solar projects seen as more cost-effective than new gas-fired power stations. These investments in renewable energy will strengthen the UK's energy security and help the country move towards meeting its 2030 clean power targets.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-new-uk-onshore-wind-and-solar-is-50-cheaper-than-new-gas/
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Brazil’s biodiversity pledge: Six key takeaways for nature and climate change
Brazil has finally published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aimed at halting and reversing nature decline by 2030, with a focus on conserving 80% of the Amazon and eliminating deforestation in Brazilian ecosystems. The plan aligns actions on climate change and biodiversity loss, setting higher conservation goals than global targets and involving consultation with scientists, Indigenous peoples, and civil society members. Specific actions include recognizing and titling Indigenous lands, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing national strategies for ecosystem protection. Brazil's NBSAP also includes mechanisms such as biodiversity credits and a regulated carbon market to finance efforts to tackle nature loss, with a national low-carbon agriculture strategy in place to promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.
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Q&A: What UK’s record auction for offshore wind means for bills and clean power by 2030
The UK's latest auction for renewable energy projects saw a record-breaking amount of new offshore wind capacity secured, with 8.4GW of projects winning contracts. Prices for offshore wind rose by around 10% since the previous round, but analysis suggests it will be "cost neutral" for consumers due to lower wholesale costs. The government welcomed the results, stating it puts the country on track to reach its 2030 clean power targets and create jobs. The auction results were split into two parts, with fixed-foundation and floating offshore wind projects securing contracts. This marks the biggest ever offshore wind auction in Europe, with enough capacity to power over 12 million homes. The recent auction results for offshore wind projects are seen as positive for meeting clean power targets by 2030, with the government taking steps to support the expansion of renewable energy as part of a larger strategy to achieve ambitious clean power goals.