The second day of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, focuses on energy and transport, two sectors central to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting future climate change.

Today’s discussions take place against a particularly significant geopolitical backdrop. This is the first UN climate conference since the disruption to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, which have exposed the vulnerability of economies dependent on internationally traded fossil fuels.

While the conflict has caused considerable human suffering and economic disruption, it may also have a longer-term consequence: accelerating the transition towards electrification and domestically produced low-carbon energy.

Energy security and climate action: increasingly aligned priorities

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted how the 2026 oil crisis is changing energy investment decisions around the world.

Its latest analysis suggests that rising fossil-fuel prices and concerns about supply security are strengthening the economic case for renewable electricity, electric vehicles, heat pumps and other electrification technologies.

Countries are increasingly recognising that reducing dependence on imported oil and gas can simultaneously improve energy security, reduce exposure to volatile prices and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Türkiye’s 35 by 35 global electrification ambition

A flagship initiative of the COP31 Presidency is the 35 by 35 Global Electrification Pledge, which aims to increase electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, compared with approximately 23% today.

This means accelerating the electrification of transport, buildings and industry, supported by investment in electricity grids, storage and low-carbon generation.

New IEA analysis commissioned for COP31 indicates that existing technologies could cost-effectively increase electrification to around 33% by 2035, bringing the Presidency’s target within reach.

Electrification offers significant opportunities to reduce emissions, particularly when accompanied by the rapid decarbonisation of electricity generation.

Transport: reducing emissions and dependence on oil

Transport is particularly exposed to global oil market disruption.

The IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2026 estimates that electric vehicles displaced approximately 1.7 million barrels of oil per day in 2025, with the potential to increase this to around 5 million barrels per day by 2030 under current policy settings.

The transition to electric vehicles therefore offers benefits beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including improved energy security and reduced exposure to oil price volatility.

However, sustainable transport must also encompass public transport, active travel, more efficient freight systems and infrastructure designed to withstand a changing climate.

What does this mean for the UK?

For the UK, the relationship between energy security and climate change is particularly important.

Expanding renewable electricity generation, strengthening electricity networks, improving building efficiency and accelerating the transition to electric transport can all contribute to reducing emissions and dependence on volatile international fossil-fuel markets.

At the same time, our energy and transport systems must become more resilient to the changing climate. Extreme heat, flooding, drought and storms can disrupt electricity generation, transmission networks, roads and railways. Future infrastructure investment must therefore consider both emissions reduction and adaptation to the climate risks already emerging.

The role of weather and climate science

Weather and climate science have a vital role in supporting the energy transition, from understanding future wind and solar resources to forecasting electricity demand, anticipating extreme weather and designing climate-resilient infrastructure.

Today’s discussions demonstrate that energy security, economic resilience and climate action are increasingly interconnected.

The transition to low-carbon energy is not simply about reducing future warming. It is also about building more secure, resilient and sustainable economies.

Throughout COP31, RMetS will share insights from the conference and highlight the role of weather and climate science in supporting a more resilient future.

View more RMetS updates from COP31.