Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels remain the primary source of electricity worldwide, with coal and gas being the largest contributors. In 2023, over 60% of global electricity was produced by fossil fuels, with several key countries sourcing over half of their electricity from these fuels, including the United States (59%), China (65%), India (75%), Japan (63%), Poland (73%), and Turkey (57%). Despite the rapid growth of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy landscape, presenting significant challenges in the fight against climate change and global warming. In the US, about 60% of electricity generation in 2023 came from fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the main sources. Nuclear energy accounted for about 19%, while renewable sources contributed about 21%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global electricity that comes from fossil fuels | 82% in 2023, 81% in 2019, 60% in the US in 2023 |
| Fossil fuels that make up this percentage | Coal, oil, natural gas, and other gases |
| Largest source of electricity production globally | Coal |
| Second-largest source of electricity production globally | Natural gas |
| Third-largest source of electricity production globally | Oil |
| Share of global electricity production from renewables | 15% in 2023, 27% in 2019 |
| Share of global electricity production from nuclear | 10% in 2019, 19% in the US in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the primary source of global electricity
The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and consumption has increased significantly in the following centuries. Fossil fuel consumption has roughly doubled since 1980, and coal production alone increased by 2% between 2021 and 2022. This has led to a concerning rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, with a record high of 40 gigatonnes of CO2 emitted in 2022.
While gas has become the second-largest source of electricity production globally, it still emits CO2 and contributes to climate change. The transition from coal to gas in some regions is a positive step from a climate perspective, as gas typically emits less CO2 per unit of energy. However, the ultimate goal is to shift towards low-carbon sources such as renewables and nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy has played a key role in low-carbon electricity production, with countries like France obtaining around three-quarters of their electricity from nuclear power. Globally, more than a third of electricity comes from low-carbon sources, but the majority is still generated from fossil fuels. This trend is particularly prominent in influential countries, underscoring the challenges faced by climate activists advocating for urgent reductions in fossil fuel use.
To summarize, fossil fuels remain the dominant source of global electricity, contributing to climate change and record-high CO2 emissions. While there has been a growing adoption of renewable and nuclear energy, significant work is needed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to low-carbon sources.
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Coal is the most common fossil fuel for electricity
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been powering economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. In 2023, about 60% of the electricity generated in the United States was from fossil fuels. While natural gas is the fastest-growing energy source globally and is considered the cleanest fossil fuel, coal is the most widely used fossil fuel for electricity generation. Coal is a fossilized plant material preserved by burial in sediments and changed by geological forces that compact and condense it into a carbon-rich rock. It has been suggested that coal formation may date back to Precambrian times, but most coal was originally laid down as organic material during the Carboniferous period, 286 million to 360 million years ago.
Coal is classified into five categories based on its stage of formation: peat, lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Younger coals, such as lignite and sub-bituminous coals, are easier to burn because they contain a larger amount of volatile compounds. In contrast, older coals are more difficult to burn as they are made almost entirely of solid carbon. Anthracite was preferred in the past over bituminous coal because it burns cleaner, producing less smoke and leaving less ash, and is more efficient in terms of heat produced per unit of weight. Coal combustion produces a variety of air pollutants that harm human and environmental health, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, particulate matter, and coal ash. These pollutants contribute to climate change and have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
The use of coal for electricity generation has been declining in recent years as the costs of natural gas and renewable energy sources have dropped, making coal less competitive. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of U.S. energy consumption, a decrease from previous years. This decline in coal usage has also led to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from coal. As renewable energy sources become more economically viable and accessible, the transition away from fossil fuels towards a more sustainable energy system is expected to accelerate.
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Natural gas is the second most common fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide emissions. In 2023, about 60% of the world's electricity supply was generated from fossil fuels, with coal and gas being the predominant sources.
Natural gas, also known as fossil gas or methane gas, is the second most common fossil fuel. It is a naturally occurring compound of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane (95%), with small amounts of higher alkanes, and traces of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium. It is formed from the remains of plants, animals, and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. Over time, these organic materials were subjected to intense heat and pressure underground, causing them to thermally decompose and form natural gas.
Natural gas has a variety of uses, including for cooking, heating, lighting, and generating electricity. It is considered a cleaner-burning fuel compared to other fossil fuels like coal and oil, emitting fewer toxic air pollutants, less carbon dioxide, and almost no particulate matter when burned. However, natural gas still contributes significantly to climate change. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas, and leaks during the extraction, storage, transportation, and distribution of natural gas can lead to a significant carbon footprint.
Additionally, natural gas is used in the production of electricity for electric vehicles (EVs). The environmental impact of EVs depends on the source of electricity used to charge them. In countries where electricity is primarily generated from renewable sources, EVs are considered more environmentally friendly. However, in countries relying heavily on fossil fuels for electricity production, the equation becomes more complex, and the overall pollution associated with EVs may be less favourable compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
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Petroleum is a fossil fuel used for electricity
Fossil fuels are essential to modern life, with most automobiles, lights, and heating systems relying on them. Fossil fuels include coal, natural gas, oil shales, bitumens, tar sands, heavy oils, and petroleum. While petroleum is a fossil fuel, it is also a product of fossil fuels, which is refined from crude oil. Crude oil is formed from the remains of organic matter, such as algae, bacteria, and plants, which have undergone geologic processes.
Petroleum is a significant source of energy and has been the most-consumed energy source in the United States. In 2022, the US consumed about 20.28 million barrels per day, including biofuels. Petroleum is used to propel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity in power plants. The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of US petroleum consumption, with gasoline being the most-consumed petroleum product, followed by distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel fuel and heating oil.
Heating oil, also known as fuel oil, is used in boilers and furnaces for heating homes and buildings, as well as for industrial heating and electricity generation. In 2022, distillate fuel oil consumption averaged about 3.96 million barrels per day (166 million gallons per day), accounting for 20% of total US petroleum consumption.
On a global scale, the majority of electricity is still generated from fossil fuels, predominantly coal and gas. Petroleum, specifically, contributes to electricity generation, as seen in the US context. However, the specific contribution of petroleum to global electricity generation compared to other fossil fuels is not readily available.
The transition to clean electricity and low-carbon sources is becoming increasingly important. While some countries rely heavily on nuclear and renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, others continue to depend on fossil fuels, including petroleum, for their electricity needs.
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Fossil fuels are declining in popularity
Fossil fuels are the predominant source of electricity generation globally, with coal and gas being the most common. In the United States, about 60% of electricity generation in 2023 came from fossil fuels. However, there are signs that fossil fuels are declining in popularity as public awareness of climate change grows and renewable alternatives become more viable.
The primary driver of the shift away from fossil fuels is the recognition of their detrimental impact on the environment and their contribution to climate change. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, leading to a rise in global temperatures and severe environmental consequences. As a result, governments and organizations are increasingly exploring renewable and low-carbon energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear power, are gaining traction as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. These sources are considered cleaner and more sustainable, with many countries and companies investing in renewable infrastructure. For example, Norway has successfully adopted renewable energy sources, and countries like California are actively implementing anti-fossil fuel policies. Additionally, the cost of renewable energy technologies is becoming more competitive, with clean energy often being cheaper than fossil fuels.
Despite the growing popularity of renewable energy, fossil fuels still hold a significant share in the energy market due to their reliability and cost-effectiveness. Some critics argue that renewable energy sources like wind and solar are intermittent and unreliable, which has led to a continued reliance on fossil fuels in certain sectors. Additionally, hedge funds and investors are still betting on fossil fuels due to the high costs and perceived unreliability of green energy alternatives.
However, the tide may be turning as more people recognize the benefits of renewable energy. The development of electric vehicles (EVs) and the emergence of countries with all-renewable electricity sources demonstrate the potential for a future without fossil fuels. While the transition away from fossil fuels will take time and effort, it is already underway, and public sentiment is shifting towards a preference for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, fossil fuels account for over 60% of global electricity generation.
Fossil fuels are fuels made from the remains of dead plants and animals. Coal, oil, and natural gas are the most commonly used fossil fuels.
Coal is the most commonly used fossil fuel for electricity generation, providing just over a third of the world's electricity.
