Electrification of vehicles, heating, cooling, and industry is proposed as a major step to replace fossil fuels and halve global energy demand. The strategy gained prominence at UN climate talks in Bonn, though negotiations were marred by disputes over climate science and the 1.5C goal.
Electrification of global energy use, including EVs and heating, is highlighted as crucial for phasing out fossil fuels. Turkey's environment minister is pushing for a target of 35% electricity use by 2035 at the upcoming Cop31 summit. However, UN climate talks in Bonn faced significant challenges, with disputes over climate science and the 1.5C goal.
The National Academies of Science, a prestigious scientific body, is facing increasing political pressure from Republican politicians regarding its reports on climate change. Concerns stem from a chapter on climate change in a manual for judges and an upcoming report on attributing weather events to human-driven climate change, with fossil fuel companies worried about potential liability.
IPCC chair Jim Skea said around 110-120 of the UN body's 195 members typically attend its meetings, noting the US has not been present. Speaking at the Regional Ecological Summit in Kazakhstan, Skea said meetings continue to work and make progress. He also warned that Chinese companies selling technologies internationally have global implications.
