Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels have been a critical energy source for centuries, but their impact on health and the climate has led to calls for a transition to cleaner alternatives. While renewable energy is growing, fossil fuels still dominate the world's energy consumption, with oil, coal, and natural gas accounting for 81% in 2017. This consumption varies across countries, with some developed nations like the United States among the top consumers per capita. However, developing countries are also significant users, and the discussion around their energy choices is complex. While wealthy countries have pledged funds to support their transition to cleaner energy, these promises have often fallen short, and developing countries argue for the flexibility to use fossil fuels to escape poverty and improve living standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuels still make up a majority of the world's energy use | In 2017, 81% of the energy consumed was oil, coal and natural gas |
| Top consumers of fossil fuels per capita | Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait |
| Fossil fuel consumption vs. population size | Energy consumption at the country level is often a reflection of population size rather than actual fossil fuel consumption per person |
| Fossil fuel consumption and climate change | Fossil fuels are a key contributor to climate change and countries are seeking to transition to cleaner energy sources |
| Impact of fossil fuel phase-out on developing countries | Developing countries may face a fall in the value of their fossil fuel deposits and a loss of government revenues |
| Inequalities in contributions to climate change | The poorest countries contribute a small fraction of global emissions and should not be penalized for their carbon emissions |
| Role of developed countries | Wealthy countries have promised funding to help developing countries transition to cleaner energy but have fallen short of commitments |
| Challenges for developing countries | Fossil fuel infrastructure, cost of green technologies, energy demand, and lack of economic diversification |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels' role in industrialization and rising prosperity
Fossil fuels have played a significant role in industrialization and the rise of prosperity. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, with coal mining and oil exploration taking off in the early 20th century. Fossil fuels have been a critical energy source and have fueled technological, social, and economic development. They have been a dominant source of energy globally, with around four-fifths of global primary energy coming from coal, oil, and gas.
The consumption of fossil fuels has increased significantly over the past few centuries, with an eight-fold increase since 1950 and a double since 1980. In 2017, 81% of the world's energy consumption was from fossil fuels, with nearly 15 billion metric tons consumed annually. The largest consumers use more than ten times the amount of fossil energy than the smallest consumers. Some countries, such as the United States, consume less per capita than smaller countries like Equatorial Guinea, which has a high per capita consumption due to its oil production.
Fossil fuels have contributed to rising prosperity by providing energy for economic activities, urbanization, and industrialization. They have been a key driver of economic growth and have improved production infrastructure, capital accumulation, and social interactions. However, their overuse has led to detrimental environmental and health outcomes, including the release of greenhouse gases, climate change, and air pollution. As a result, there is a growing transition towards cleaner, renewable energy sources, with many developed countries pledging to support developing countries in this transition.
Developing countries argue that they need financing and support to use fossil fuels to escape poverty and improve living standards. They contend that they should not be penalized for their carbon emissions, as their energy demands and emissions are relatively low compared to developed countries. Additionally, the infrastructure of fossil fuel power plants in these countries was often built by multinational corporations from richer nations. Nevertheless, the excessive consumption of fossil fuels has resulted in profound environmental consequences, and a transition to cleaner energy sources is imperative to mitigate these impacts.
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Fossil fuel consumption per person
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas, have played and continue to play a dominant role in global energy systems. They are the largest driver of global climate change and are major contributors to air pollution, which is linked to millions of premature deaths each year. While renewable energy is growing rapidly, fossil fuels still make up the majority of the world's energy use. In 2017, 81% of the energy consumed globally was from fossil fuels, with nearly 15 billion metric tons consumed annually.
When looking at fossil fuel consumption per person, it is important to adjust for population size, as larger countries may consume more fossil fuels simply because they have larger populations. Developed countries tend to have higher per capita fossil fuel consumption due to their economic structures and the lifestyles of their citizens. The United States, for example, is the largest oil consumer, with over 19.1 million barrels consumed per day as of 2022. With a population of over 334 million, the US records high fossil fuel consumption levels to meet the energy needs of its citizens and their vehicles, homes, and businesses. Other developed countries with high per capita fossil fuel consumption include Canada and Australia.
However, some smaller, less developed countries with abundant fossil fuel resources have even higher per capita consumption rates. Equatorial Guinea, for instance, has a small population of just over 1.2 million people but is a top oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa. It leads the world in per capita fossil fuel consumption, at 18 metric tons per person per year. Other countries that consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person include Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Many of these countries have high living standards and a heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy.
While developed countries have historically been the largest consumers of energy per capita, developing countries like China and India are seeing increases in their overall consumption. China, in particular, has become the largest global energy consumer and the second-largest consumer of oil after the US. It is important to note that while China's per capita consumption may be lower than that of some developed countries, its massive population means that it has a much higher total fossil fuel consumption.
To address climate change and reduce air pollution, countries with high fossil fuel consumption must transition to low-carbon energy sources such as renewables and nuclear power. Some countries, like the US, have set ambitious sustainability goals, including generating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Other countries, like Germany, have reduced their fossil fuel consumption by shifting to nuclear power.
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Fossil fuel consumption by type
Fossil fuels are still the world's dominant energy source, with nearly 15 billion metric tons consumed annually. Oil, coal, and natural gas accounted for 81% of global energy consumption in 2017. However, the impact of fossil fuels on health and the environment has led to calls for a transition to cleaner energy sources.
Coal
Coal has been a critical energy source for centuries and remains the largest source of electricity worldwide. It is also the most polluting energy source in terms of CO2 emissions and local air pollution. Coal production and consumption vary across countries, with some relying on imports while others have reserves for domestic production.
Oil
Oil is another significant contributor to fossil fuel consumption globally, although it accounts for a smaller share of electricity production compared to coal and gas. Oil production and consumption patterns differ internationally, with some countries being top producers and consumers simultaneously.
Natural Gas
Natural gas, along with coal, is responsible for a large share of electricity production globally. While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it is often considered a cleaner alternative to coal due to lower CO2 emissions. However, it still contributes to global warming and climate change.
Geographic Variations
The consumption of fossil fuels varies widely across countries. Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait consume ten or more tons of fossil fuels per person annually. In contrast, developing countries often have lower per capita consumption, and their overall emissions barely register compared to wealthier nations.
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The impact of fossil fuels on health and climate
Fossil fuels have been key to industrialization and rising prosperity. However, their impact on health and the climate has been detrimental. This impact is felt across the globe, in both developed and developing countries, although low-income communities and communities of colour are disproportionately affected.
Impact on Climate
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry. Fossil fuels produce large quantities of carbon dioxide when burned, and carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change. This has resulted in global warming, rising sea levels, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, and worsening health and poverty for millions of people worldwide.
Impact on Health
The burning of fossil fuels releases toxic airborne particulate matter, causing air pollution and multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, neurodevelopmental issues, and premature death. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths. In the United States alone, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution. The annual cost of the health impacts of fossil fuel-generated electricity in the United States is estimated to be up to $886.5 billion.
Addressing the Impact
There is a growing recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy sources. Wealthy countries have promised to provide financial support to developing countries to facilitate this transition. However, there has been a perceived over-promising and under-delivery on these commitments. Additionally, policies such as a border adjustment carbon tax have been proposed, which would impose tariffs on goods from countries with dirtier energy sources. While this may incentivize the adoption of cleaner energy sources, it could also penalize developing countries that are heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
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Fossil fuel power plants and infrastructure in poorer countries
Developing countries argue that they require financing and support to use fossil fuels to escape poverty, improve living standards, and cope with the consequences of climate change. For example, 770 million people, mostly in Africa and Asia, don't have access to electricity at all, even for essential needs like water purification and lighting.
While the onus is on wealthy countries to make the most aggressive reductions in fossil fuel consumption, it is unfair to push poor countries to reach zero carbon emissions too early. Poor countries' growth needs are far more than just the replacement of fossil fuels with zero-carbon infrastructure, and their emissions will need to rise in the short run.
Developing countries also face the challenge of diversifying their economies away from fossil fuels. Fossil fuel exports are often a key source of government cash, and lower demand for oil and gas would drain critical revenues needed for investments in health, education, and infrastructure. Additionally, the infrastructure required to support power plants and refineries is expensive and can take years to build, creating a long commitment to burning fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuel consumption is often a reflection of population size, and some of the largest consumers of fossil fuels per capita are developing countries. However, wealthy countries have promised to help developing countries transition to cleaner energy, but have failed to live up to their commitments.
If the world moves away from fossil fuels, poorer countries that are rich in fossil fuels will face a huge reduction in the value of their national and natural wealth. Fossil fuel exports are often a key source of government cash, and a decline in demand could drain critical revenues for governments.
Fossil fuels are cheap for developing countries, especially if they are in their backyard. Many green technologies are patented with expensive licenses. Development banks and international funding groups have dialed back their financing of fossil fuels in developing countries, slowing the construction of new power plants.
