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Key developments
COP31 hosts float 35-by-35 electrification goal
Jan Rosenow reported that COP31 hosts this week proposed a global goal for electricity to meet 35% of final energy demand by 2035, up from about 21% in 2024. Current IEA policies reach only about 25% by 2035, while 1.5°C-aligned scenarios converge near one-third. Rosenow highlights the sector gap: buildings are about 36% electrified, industry about 30%, and transport still around 1% globally.
Why it matters
The proposal shifts attention from clean power supply alone to whether transport, heating and industry are electrifying fast enough to use it.
Sources & driving stories
JAN ROSENOW SUBSTACK · Jan Rosenow
Jan Rosenow Substack coverageHawaii tax-credit rollback clouds solar targets
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Gov. Josh Green issued an executive order Friday reinstating renewable-energy tax credits for current 2026 projects after Act 24 imposed a $40 million annual cap, income limits and a phaseout by 2031. Advocates said the order is only a temporary fix because future projects still face reduced incentives. Hawaii needs 50,000 additional Oahu rooftop solar systems by 2030 and 100% renewable power on neighbor islands by 2035; Oahu added 6,571 rooftop systems in 2025 against a pace requirement of about 10,000 per year.
Why it matters
Hawaii’s clean-power targets depend heavily on distributed solar, and incentive uncertainty could slow household adoption and project financing.
Sources & driving stories
HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Honolulu Star-Advertiser coverageLouisiana bars climate-damage suits against oil
NOLA’s Alex Lubben reported that Gov. Jeff Landry signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act on Thursday, blocking Louisiana state-court claims seeking climate-damage payments from oil and gas companies and other defendants. The bill passed 31-3 in the Senate and 92-5 in the House, targeting claims tied to sea level rise, extreme weather, wildfires and flooding, while exempting Louisiana coastal lawsuits. Oklahoma, Utah, Iowa and Tennessee passed similar measures this year, and Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a federal version.
Why it matters
The law adds to a coordinated state-level effort to limit climate accountability litigation, though legal experts said it may have limited practical reach outside Louisiana.
Sources & driving stories
NOLA · Alex Lubben
Nola coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Egypt pushes storage-backed renewables
Egyptian outlets reported that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reviewed 105 grid-strengthening projects and directed timelines for connecting solar and wind by 2027, including Obelisk’s 500 MW solar and 200 MWh storage phase and Energy Valley’s planned 1.7 GWac solar plus 4 GWh batteries.
WORTH NOTING
Nevada data-center gas fight grows
The Nevada Independent flagged a Public Utilities Commission proceeding for a temporary 144 MW gas plant to serve a Storey County hyperscale data center and a separate 42-inch gas pipeline proposal, arguing AI load growth could undermine Nevada’s emissions goals.
WORTH NOTING
World Cup heat risks sharpen
MedPage Today summarized analyses estimating that more than one-third of 2026 World Cup matches face high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions, prompting FIFA measures such as hydration breaks, cooling near benches, heat monitoring and enhanced medical support.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Can electrification reach 35% by 2035?
Current policies point to about 25% by 2035, and transport remains barely electrified globally, so the COP31 target would require faster deployment and stronger price, grid and demand-shifting reforms.
OPEN QUESTION
Do state lawsuit bans change climate litigation?
Louisiana’s law may deter in-state claims but cannot directly stop cases in jurisdictions such as California or Colorado, leaving its real legal impact unresolved.