Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to feature more prominently at this year’s United Nations climate summit, with Türkiye’s COP31 presidency seeking support for a new pledge to address the technology’s growing energy footprint.
To continue reading, subscribe to Eco‑Business.
Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
- Exclusive access to training across business and policy topics
- Direct access to industry leaders at Eco-Business events
- A seat among the decision makers shaping the region's sustainable development
In a statement on Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the presidency announced plans for the ‘Antalya Pledge on AI’, describing it as a political commitment to guide how the technology is designed, bought, powered, deployed, measured and governed in ways that support climate action. A draft is due to be shared before the COP31 climate summit in Antalya in November.
The proposed pledge comes as the AI infrastructure race is led by the United States and China, whose data centres are projected to drive most of the world’s additional data centre electricity demand this decade.
Both countries are projected by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to account for nearly 80 per cent of the worldwide rise in electricity used by data centres by 2030.
In the US, energy use is forecast to increase by about 240 terawatt-hours (TWh), roughly 130 per cent above 2024 levels. China’s energy use is expected to rise by about 175 TWh, or 170 per cent.
Europe is projected to add more than 45 TWh, while Japan’s demand could grow by around 15 TWh. A TWh is a very significant unit of electricity, with one TWh able to power roughly 100,000 average US homes for a year, although the exact equivalent varies by country and household consumption.
The COP31 host said discussions would address not only where AI facilities are built, but also whether operators disclose their energy use, obtain new clean power supplies and avoid adding strain to already stretched electricity grids.
COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said that governments must take a more active role in setting expectations for AI companies, including transparency over energy consumption and the use of clean electricity.
“We must openly discuss AI’s growing energy consumption and it is time for governments to start setting the terms,” said Kurum, who is also Türkiye’s environment and urban planning minister. “We expect companies to be transparent about their energy use and to power their operations with clean energy.”
The presidency also announced an ‘AI for Clean Technologies’ Initiative, which will develop AI-enabled pilot projects in sectors including smart energy systems and green industry, linking projects with industry partners and investors. COP31 is expected to include a dedicated day on technology and AI.
Alongside the AI measures, Türkiye launched its proposed ‘35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge’, which aims to lift electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 per cent by 2035.
The proposal calls for the electrification of buildings, transport and industry, backed by clean power, energy storage, system flexibility and modern, resilient grids. It acknowledges that countries will follow different national pathways while stressing the need for finance and international cooperation, particularly for developing countries.
Türkiye said it plans to establish a mechanism for tracking collective progress on electrification, as well as an implementation forum to support knowledge sharing and capacity building. Other measures include help for developing countries to identify grid investment needs and access finance, a platform for greener international freight corridors, and a buildings compact targeting at least a 25 per cent reduction in energy use intensity by 2035.
The IEA has been asked to assess electrification challenges and opportunities ahead of a high-level dialogue with world leaders, while the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will support an Electrification Day during New York Climate Week.
