By Anadolu Agency
November 11, 2026 5:00 amANTALYA, Türkiye
Investments in renewable energy and electrification are advancing faster than political commitments to climate action, driven increasingly by energy security and economic considerations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Environment Director Jaime de Bourbon de Parme said Tuesday.
Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of the UN climate conference COP31 in Antalya, de Bourbon de Parme said the shift toward cleaner energy was gaining momentum despite political uncertainty surrounding climate policies.
“I think the real economy is moving faster than the political narrative,” he said.
“So it’s a political narrative going down, but the actual investments in electrification are going up. And that’s a very hopeful development.”
De Bourbon de Parme said recurring crises involving fossil fuels, particularly in the Middle East, have exposed the vulnerabilities of conventional energy supplies and strengthened the case for renewables.
“We see crisis after crisis in the fossil fuel side,” he said, adding that countries with established renewable energy capacity are benefiting from lower energy costs.
“So it is an energy security issue. And you see now energy security and climate coming together.”
De Bourbon de Parme identified energy security as the primary motivation behind the accelerating transition toward cleaner energy, followed by economic advantages and environmental concerns.
“I think right now, the biggest driver is energy security, to be less dependent on external sources of energy,” he said.
He argued that renewable energy infrastructure could be deployed more rapidly and at lower costs than conventional power generation facilities.
While building a new gas-fired power plant could take years, solar installations could be developed considerably faster, he said.
“I think the economic benefit is the second driver,” de Bourbon de Parme said, adding that public demand for a cleaner and safer environment was also encouraging the transition.
He pointed to the growing affordability of solar technology, noting that in some emerging economies, solar panels are even being purchased as wedding gifts.
“Because it can give you joy, it can give you light, it can help you with energy for cooking or for education at home,” he said.
Addressing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, de Bourbon de Parme warned that rising electricity and water consumption by data centers could create additional environmental pressures.
“So AI will need a lot of electricity, a lot of water. So it is competing with many other industries,” he said.
“And it can have a negative environmental impact.”
However, he emphasized that AI could also contribute to climate action through improved forecasting and more efficient administrative processes, including permitting for new projects.
He said the overall environmental implications of AI would depend on whether its benefits outweigh the resources required to operate the technology.
“But if the cost becomes bigger than the benefit, then it’s really a big worry for the world,” he warned.
Turning to expectations from COP31, de Bourbon de Parme highlighted emissions mitigation, the global stock take process, adaptation monitoring and a just transition as important areas for negotiations.
He stressed that shifting from carbon-intensive industries to cleaner sectors would inevitably create economic and social challenges, particularly for workers whose jobs could be affected.
“Transition hurts. It’s going to be unequal everywhere,” he said.
“If you shift from one industry to the next, there’s people that are going to be out of jobs,” he added, emphasizing the importance of supporting those negatively affected by the transition.
While negotiations remain essential, de Bourbon de Parme said the conference’s action agenda would play a particularly important role in translating climate ambitions into practical measures.
“The big weight of this COP is on the action agenda,” he said, highlighting electrification as a major component.
De Bourbon de Parme also praised Türkiye’s organization of COP31, citing the conference infrastructure, hospitality and leadership.
“I really compliment Türkiye for the great hospitality, for having us here,” he said.
“The infrastructure is fantastic. The food is fantastic. People are in a good spirit to come here.”
He also pointed to what he described as the “35 by 35” agenda, referring to a proposed target related to the global energy mix by 2035.
De Bourbon de Parme said agreement among participating governments on such a goal could provide renewed momentum for international climate cooperation.
“That will give a lot of hope that governments can set goals together for the future,” he said.
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