Regan Brown
The world's electricity is predominantly generated by burning fossil fuels, which are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Fossil fuel power plants burn coal, oil, or natural gas to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide, and this number has remained relatively unchanged over the past few decades despite the growth of renewables. However, due to the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels, there is a growing need to transition to cleaner sources of energy such as nuclear and renewable alternatives.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide emissions
The burning of fossil fuels is the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and its emissions have significantly increased since 1850, with the majority of this increase resulting from increased fossil fuel consumption and industrial emissions. In 2022, CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 8% relative to 2020 and 1% relative to 2021. This was driven by a rebound in economic activity after the COVID-19 pandemic, with emissions from natural gas consumption increasing by 5% and emissions from coal consumption decreasing by 6% from 2021.
The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions, with over 94% of the fuel used for transportation being petroleum-based, including gasoline and diesel. The industrial sector is the third-largest source of direct emissions, with greenhouse gas emissions primarily from burning fossil fuels for energy and certain chemical reactions necessary for producing goods from raw materials. The commercial and residential sectors also contribute to emissions by burning fossil fuels for heat and using gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings.
In 2024, energy-related CO2 emissions in emerging market and developing economies increased, driven by rising energy demand and population growth. India's energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 5.3%, the highest among major economies, due to rapid economic growth, infrastructure development, and surging energy demand. In contrast, advanced economies' energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 1.1%, reflecting a continued deployment of low-emissions energy sources, with renewables and nuclear power accounting for over 50% of electricity generation.
Despite the strong growth of renewable energy sources over the last few decades, fossil fuels remain the dominant source of electricity generation worldwide. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity, and this percentage increased to 65.6% in 2022. Nuclear power is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation, as it does not produce greenhouse gases and contributes minimal amounts of greenhouse gases across its entire life cycle. However, even in countries with a high proportion of renewable energy sources, such as Norway, the production of electricity may still rely on fossil fuels, which contribute to global carbon dioxide emissions.
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Coal is the largest source of electricity globally
Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for electricity generation over the past century. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity, a slight increase from 61.9% in 1990. Despite the growth of renewable energy sources in recent decades, fossil fuels remain the dominant source of electricity worldwide.
Among fossil fuels, coal is the largest source of electricity globally. Coal is burned in fossil fuel power plants to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 60% of electricity generation in the United States, with coal being a significant contributor.
However, there has been a notable shift away from coal in some countries. For example, the UK has witnessed a dramatic decline in coal's contribution to its electricity mix, moving from over half in the late 1980s to just a couple of percent in recent years. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the environmental impact of coal and other fossil fuels, which produce large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to climate change and air pollution.
To address these concerns, there is a growing emphasis on transitioning to low-carbon energy sources such as renewables and nuclear energy. Nuclear power, in particular, has gained traction as a key tool for decarbonization, providing clean and reliable electricity for extended periods. While coal currently dominates the global electricity landscape, the increasing focus on sustainability and the development of alternative energy sources may lead to a gradual shift towards cleaner and more sustainable options in the future.
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Nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels
The world's primary energy sources for electricity generation have been fossil fuels, hydroelectricity, and nuclear energy. Fossil fuels have been the dominant source, generating 64.5% of worldwide electricity in 2017, a slight increase from 61.9% in 1990. However, there is a growing need to transition to cleaner sources of energy to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change.
Nuclear power plants produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation and only very small amounts across their entire life cycle. In 2018, nuclear power generated 10.5% of the world's electricity, with France having the largest nuclear share of any country, at over 70%. Nuclear energy has the potential to directly replace fossil fuel plants, avoiding the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation.
Nuclear fuel is extremely dense, and a small amount can generate a significant amount of electricity. For example, 1 kg of uranium contains the same amount of energy as 2.7 million kg of coal. This makes nuclear fuel a reliable source of energy for decades to come. Additionally, nuclear power stations are certified for longer operation periods than gas or coal-fired power stations, further contributing to their reliability.
While concerns remain about the disposal of spent fuel from reactors, nuclear energy is an important part of the global energy mix. It plays a pivotal role in helping countries achieve their net-zero goals by providing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
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Renewable energy sources are increasing
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, have been the dominant energy source for electricity generation over the past century. However, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources, which offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative.
Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biofuels, are becoming increasingly important in the transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2023, renewable energy technologies experienced rapid cost reductions, making them cheaper than fossil fuels in most parts of the world. This has resulted in a significant increase in renewable energy projects, with over 90% of new projects being more affordable than fossil fuel alternatives.
The use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation is one of the key enablers of reducing global temperature rise. In 2023, renewable electricity capacity growth reached a record high, with annual additions of about 560 GW. This growth is expected to continue, with global renewable electricity generation forecast to exceed 17,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by the end of the decade, a nearly 90% increase from 2023 levels.
The expansion of renewables is occurring at various scales, from large offshore wind farms to small-scale rooftop solar panels. This diversification allows for greater access to renewable energy sources, with even entire rural communities relying solely on renewables for their heating and lighting needs. Additionally, the integration of renewables into national electricity grids is displacing "dirty" fossil fuels in the power sector, reducing carbon emissions and other forms of pollution.
The shift towards renewable energy sources is also having a positive impact on job creation. The renewable energy sector employed 16.2 million people in 2023, a significant increase from the previous year. The transition to net-zero emissions is expected to result in a net gain of 9 million jobs by 2030, as new roles in clean energy and energy-related industries emerge.
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Fossil fuels are dominant worldwide
Fossil fuels are indeed dominant worldwide, with global primary energy consumption hitting historic highs in 2023. The energy mix that year comprised 82% fossil fuels, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the most prevalent. This is despite the ongoing aggressive rollout of renewable energy sources in major economies.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation has been increasing, with fossil fuels generating 64.5% of worldwide electricity in 2017, up from 61.9% in 1990. In 2023, over 60% of global electricity was produced by fossil fuels, with coal being the single largest source of electricity generation and carbon emissions. Several key countries sourced well over half of their electricity from fossil fuels in 2023, including the United States (59%), China (65%), India (75%), Japan (63%), Poland (73%), and Turkey (57%).
While renewable energy sources have been gaining traction, their share of total electricity generation has yet to surpass 40%. This indicates that fossil fuels remain the primary source of electricity globally. The transition to clean energy has been slow, and the energy demand continues to grow, especially in the Global South, where demand is increasing at twice the global rate.
Fossil fuel power plants are generally cheap to build and can generate electricity reliably over long periods. However, burning carbon-based fuels produces large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Nuclear power, on the other hand, is an environmentally friendly alternative that does not produce greenhouse gases during electricity generation and is reliable and affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity. In 2023, fossil fuels generated 60% of electricity in the US. In 2022, coal supplied just over a third of global electricity generation.
Fossil fuels are fuels that come from the remains of dead plants and animals. They include coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat, which is used to generate steam to drive turbines that generate electricity. In gas plants, hot gases drive a turbine to generate electricity.
Yes, alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity generation include nuclear energy and renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar power, wind power, and biomass.
