Electrification and AI: what COP31's New York initiatives tell SMEs

On 21 September 2026, at UN Headquarters in New York, the COP31 Presidency launched the 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge and the Antalya Pledge on AI.¹

35-by-35

The pledge aims to raise electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. Heads of state declare intent, while businesses, investors, cities, international organisations and civil society can join as Supporters.² Six initiatives accompany it: a progress-tracking mechanism, an implementation forum, grid-investment and finance support for developing countries, a green freight-corridor platform, a compact to cut building energy-use intensity 25% by 2035, and a matchmaking platform linking least-developed countries with finance and technology for industrial decarbonisation.¹

Antalya Pledge on AI

A political pledge on how AI is designed, procured, powered, deployed, measured and managed for climate and sustainable development. The AI for Clean Technologies initiative will develop AI-enabled pilots in smart energy and green industry and connect them with industry partners and investors.¹

For SMEs

• Electrification supply chain — heat pumps, electric furnaces, drives, charging, rooftop solar and storage.
• Building efficiency — insulation, automation, smart metering, energy consulting.
• AI for efficiency — energy monitoring, predictive maintenance, process optimisation.
• Become a Supporter — businesses can back the 35-by-35 pledge.²

Calendar: 10 November, Energy and Transport; 16 November, Science, Industry and Technology (AI, digitalisation, SMEs).³