What happened
Ed Miliband told Carbon Brief that the UK supports the 35×35 electrification pledge promoted by the Turkish COP31 presidency. The UK government confirmed its endorsement after the interview, which was conducted in Antalya on 12 November 2026.
Miliband said electrification and clean power were central to the UK’s international climate position. He also said the government would make every effort to meet its 2030 nationally determined contribution, which aims to cut emissions by 68% from 1990 levels.
Asked about criticism following approval of the Jackdaw gas field, Miliband maintained that other countries still regard the UK as a climate leader. He pointed to the government’s clean-power target for 2030, net-zero commitments and plans to prevent new oil and gas licensing.
Why it matters
The pledge is relevant to Türkiye because its COP31 presidency has made electrification a central theme of the summit in Antalya. Miliband presented wider use of electricity powered by clean energy as a way to reduce exposure to fossil-fuel price movements and associated energy-security risks.
For the UK, the endorsement adds an international commitment alongside domestic targets. Miliband acknowledged that meeting the pledge would be demanding for the country, but said the government viewed it as necessary.
He also said methane should receive greater attention in the COP agenda. In his view, action on the gas can help limit temperature increases in the near term.
Background
Miliband rejected the view that the UN climate process should be set aside in favour of smaller country groups. He argued that COP meetings remain a forum both for multilateral negotiations and for countries to form voluntary partnerships on issues including forests, industrial policy, electrification and methane.
On climate finance, he said multilateral development banks could provide more support to developing countries by making fuller use of their balance sheets. The UK intends to convene these institutions during its G20 presidency in 2027, he said.
He also said progress on fossil-fuel transition plans and deforestation can continue through coalitions of countries even where consensus prevents their inclusion in a formal COP decision.
What's next
The UK’s G20 presidency in 2027 is expected to include climate resilience, debt and development among its priorities, according to Miliband. At COP31, he said he would assess outcomes by the practical action agreed on methane and the wider economy, as well as by formal negotiations.
