As electrification becomes an increasingly important part of the global climate agenda, governments and international organisations are setting new electrification targets and initiatives. Yet there is still little understanding on what Paris-aligned electrification looks like, how it should be measured, or how global goals translate into action at country level.

This project develops electrification benchmarks to bridge that gap. Over three years, NewClimate Institute and Climate Analytics will develop a framework for benchmarking electrification at three levels:

• Economy-wide benchmarks, showing the overall role of electricity in final energy demand. 
• Sectoral benchmarks for transport, buildings and industry, showing what economy-wide electrification means across different parts of the economy. 
• Technology benchmarks, linking sectoral electrification to technologies such as electric vehicles, heat pumps and industrial electrification. 

The project combines evidence from global climate scenarios, sectoral studies and national analyses to develop transparent, evidence-based benchmarks. In the first year, we will review the existing evidence, develop and test the benchmarking methodology, and produce a synthesis of what Paris-aligned electrification looks like globally and across sectors. The following years we will apply this framework to countries, producing country-level benchmarks and expanding their coverage over time. 

The benchmarks are intended for researchers, governments, civil society organisations and international initiatives working on climate and energy policy. By providing a common analytical framework, the project aims to improve how electrification ambition is assessed, how progress is tracked, and how global climate goals are translated into practical action.

Implemented by NewClimate Institute and Climate Analytics, funded by ECF PIE. Year 1 runs from May 2026 to April 2027 as part of a three-year programme.