COP31 targets increasing global circular material use to 15% as part of green industrialization

The COP31 Action Agenda has been structured around ten priority themes: clean energy transition and electrification, zero waste and methane reduction, climate-resilient cities, green industrialization, youth and education, food security, oceans and seas, resilient health systems, Rio synergies, and the Climate Implementation Bridge. Finance, technology and capacity building have been identified as common enabling factors across all themes.

Hard-to-Abate Sectors at the Heart of the Agenda

Under the green industrialization theme, the COP31 Presidency aims to accelerate competitive, resilient and low-carbon production, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, through international cooperation, investment and the deployment of technology.

According to the COP31 Presidency, hard-to-abate sectors account for approximately 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while industry is responsible for around 40% of global final energy consumption. Meanwhile, the global circular material use rate remains at just 6.9%.

Against this backdrop, the COP31 Presidency has set a science-based and measurable implementation target of increasing the global circular material use rate to at least 15% by 2035. The Presidency stated that increasing the use of secondary materials could reduce demand for primary resource extraction, energy consumption and industrial emissions, while also strengthening the resilience of supply chains.

Electrification Target Also Set for 2035

Under the COP31 Action Agenda, the share of electricity in global final energy consumption is also targeted to reach 35% by 2035. The Presidency noted that electrification, together with renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access, could support emissions reductions across multiple sectors, including buildings, transport and industry.

COP31 to Be Held in Antalya

As part of COP31, the World Leaders’ Summit will take place on 11–12 November 2026. The COP31 Business Forum will be held in Antalya on 12–13 November, focusing on investments, partnerships and practical solutions aimed at supporting the implementation of climate targets.

The COP31 Presidency also emphasized that the targets set out are not intended to create new obligations for countries, but rather represent a global call to strengthen international cooperation and foster the formation of coalitions.