Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, over 60% of global electricity was generated by burning fossil fuels, with coal being the largest contributor, producing around 36% of the world's electricity. The burning of fossil fuels has serious environmental implications, as it releases carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. While electricity generation from renewable sources has been growing, it has not yet surpassed the 40% threshold, indicating that fossil fuels remain the dominant source of electricity globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global electricity production from fossil fuels in 2017 | 64.5% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from fossil fuels in 2023 | 60% |
| Percentage of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions due to burning fossil fuels | Over 40% |
| Percentage of global energy supplied by fossil fuels | 80% |
| Percentage of US energy consumption supplied by coal in 2020 | 19% |
| Percentage of US greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas in 2020 | 36% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from nuclear power in 2018 | 10.5% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from biomass in 2017 | 2.3% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global CO2 emissions
Fossil fuels are the primary source of global CO2 emissions. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation, motor vehicles, domestic and industrial furnaces, and more, accounts for over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. In 2023, about 60% of the electricity generated in the United States came from fossil fuels, and globally, emissions from fossil fuels reached a record high.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation is a significant contributor to the problem. While nuclear and renewable energy sources have indirect emissions associated with their construction, nuclear fission, for example, does not produce any direct CO2 emissions. In contrast, the burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, directly into the atmosphere.
The transportation sector, which includes the burning of fossil fuels for road, rail, and air travel, is also a major emitter. In 2019, this sector accounted for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the industry sector, which includes emissions from burning fossil fuels on-site at facilities for energy, contributed 24% of global emissions in the same year.
The impact of fossil fuel emissions on the environment is evident, with global warming and climate change being significant concerns. Despite some countries showing a decline in emissions, the overall trend is still rising. To stabilize and reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations, a rapid reduction in fossil fuel emissions is necessary, along with a transformation of energy systems, industries, and food systems.
While proposals like carbon capture and storage (CCS) aim to mitigate the impact of power stations, they have proven difficult and expensive to implement. Therefore, a combination of technological advancements, political change, and rapid decarbonization is essential to address the issue of fossil fuel emissions and their impact on global climate change.
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Coal is the largest source of electricity production
Coal is currently the largest source of electricity production globally, despite being the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. It supplies just over a third of the world's electricity, with gas being the second-largest source. Coal is the dominant source of electricity for many countries, although some, like the UK, have seen a dramatic shift away from coal in recent years.
In 2020, coal, gas, oil, nuclear, and renewables made up the global electricity mix. Low-carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) accounted for a larger share of electricity than the total energy mix. Hydropower and nuclear power made the largest contribution to low-carbon electricity production, although wind and solar are growing quickly.
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation is a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Fossil fuels are being burned and rapidly converted to atmospheric CO2, which is causing a CO2 buildup in the atmosphere. This, along with deforestation, is contributing to the greenhouse effect by reducing the removal of atmospheric CO2 by photosynthesis.
While coal is being gradually replaced in most countries, it is still crucial for iron and steel production. The IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario aims to end all unabated coal generation by 2040. To achieve this, governments and the coal industry need to develop and deploy less polluting and more efficient technologies, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS).
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Fossil fuels supply 80% of the world's energy
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide, with coal and gas being the largest contributors. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption, and natural gas was close behind as the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions. Fossil fuel power plants burn these fuels to create heat, generating steam to drive turbines and produce electricity.
While fossil fuels are reliable and cheap to operate, they have severe environmental consequences. The burning of fossil fuels releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and global warming. In addition, fossil fuel plants produce pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which cause air pollution and acid rain. The health impact of air pollution from fossil fuels is significant, causing a considerable number of deaths.
Recognising the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels, many countries are transitioning to renewable and low-carbon energy sources. Globally, over one-third of electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, with some countries, such as Sweden, Norway, and France, obtaining over 90% of their electricity from nuclear or renewable sources. Hydroelectric power, in particular, has become a significant source of low-carbon electricity, with the Three Gorges Dam in China being the world's largest hydroelectric power plant.
To address the issue of carbon emissions, there have been proposals for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. By 2020, 26 commercial CCS plants were in operation worldwide, capturing 0.11% of total yearly global emissions. While CCS can help mitigate the worst effects of climate change, it does not eliminate the need to reduce the burning of fossil fuels, as they also release other harmful pollutants.
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the focus is on developing cleaner technologies and improving energy efficiency. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, are rapidly growing and are expected to account for a large share of electricity production in the coming years. Despite the challenges, the transition away from fossil fuels is crucial to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
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Fossil fuel plants require large quantities of coal, oil, or gas
In 2019, coal was the dominant fuel for power generation, accounting for 37% of global electricity production. This was followed by renewables at 27% and natural gas at 24%. Oil, on the other hand, provided less than 3% of global electricity in 2019. However, when considering total energy supply, oil remained the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ in 2019. The production of fossil fuels decreased in 2020, particularly oil due to decreased transport demand during the global health crisis, and coal due to economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The use of fossil fuels in electricity generation varies by region. In the United States, about 60% of electricity generation in 2023 came from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. This is a significant contribution, especially when compared to nuclear energy at 19% and renewable energy sources at 21%. However, it is important to note that small-scale solar photovoltaic systems are also making a contribution, estimated at 73.62 billion kWh in 2023.
While fossil fuels have been a major source of electricity generation, there is a growing awareness of the need to transition away from them due to their environmental impact. Over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are attributed to burning fossil fuels for electricity generation. As a result, there is a focus on decarbonizing the electricity sector and exploring alternatives such as nuclear power and renewable energy sources.
To conclude, fossil fuel plants rely on substantial amounts of coal, oil, or gas for electricity production, but there is a growing recognition of the environmental consequences associated with their use. This has led to a shift towards low-carbon sources of electricity, although the progress has been uneven across different regions.
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Fossil fuels are not the only way to generate electricity
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation has contributed significantly to the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum, are the major sources of energy for electricity generation. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States came from these fuels. However, it's important to recognize that fossil fuels are not the only way to generate electricity.
Firstly, nuclear power offers an alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation. Nuclear energy, including nuclear fission, does not produce any direct CO2 emissions. While there are indirect emissions associated with the construction of nuclear plants, nuclear power emits significantly less CO2 over its lifecycle compared to fossil fuels. In 2023, nuclear energy accounted for about 19% of electricity generation in the United States.
Secondly, renewable energy sources provide a diverse range of options for electricity generation beyond fossil fuels. These sources include wind power, hydropower, solar energy, geothermal power, and biomass. In 2023, renewable energy sources contributed about 21% of electricity generation in the United States. Among these sources, wind and solar power stand out for their low carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity produced, even rivaling nuclear power in this regard. Additionally, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of public charging infrastructure further reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
Moreover, the world is witnessing an increasing shift towards alternative energy sources and technologies for electricity generation. Countries like Poland are actively deploying wind power initiatives. Additionally, there is a focus on decarbonizing the electricity sector, recognizing that it is the most readily decarbonized sector due to its ability to utilize non-fossil low-carbon energy sources.
While fossil fuels have dominated the energy landscape, the awareness of their environmental impact has spurred exploration into other avenues. The transition to alternative energy sources is gaining momentum, driven by the understanding that a diverse energy portfolio is crucial for a sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, over 60% of global electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are the sum of coal, oil, and gas.
Just over one-third of global electricity comes from low-carbon sources.
Some countries get over 90% of their electricity from low-carbon sources, including Sweden, Norway, France, Paraguay, Iceland, and Nepal.
Burning fossil fuels for electricity generation accounts for over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
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