Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past 50 years, with global consumption reaching nearly 490 exajoules in 2021. This consumption is dominated by three fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, oil and gas are still growing quickly. In the US, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total primary energy production in 2023, with petroleum, natural gas, and coal being the most prevalent sources. The transportation sector is the largest consumer of oil, while natural gas is the most common fuel type used for electricity generation. Despite the growing popularity of renewable energy sources, fossil fuel consumption is expected to remain high in the coming years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy mix | 82% in 2023 |
| Percentage of global primary energy | Around 80% |
| Global primary energy consumption | Hit historic highs in 2023 |
| Fossil fuel consumption increase | 1.5% from 2022 to 2023 |
| CO2 emissions | 40 gigatonnes in 2023 |
| CO2 emissions increase | 2% from 2022 |
| Fossil fuel with the highest CO2 emissions | Coal |
| Percentage of US electricity generation from renewable energy in 2020 | 20% |
| Expected trend in renewable energy | To continue to grow |
| Oil's contribution to US energy consumption | One-third |
| Oil's contribution to global energy consumption | One-third |
| Oil's contribution to US carbon emissions in 2020 | 45% |
| Coal's contribution to US energy consumption in 2020 | 19% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel consumption by country
Fossil fuels, including oil, coal, and natural gas, remain the primary energy source globally, accounting for over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. While there has been a global shift towards renewable energy, fossil fuel consumption reached new highs in 2023 due to increased coal and oil use. China and the United States are the top two consumers, together responsible for nearly half of the world's fossil fuel usage. In 2023, China consumed 140 exajoules, while the US consumed 76 exajoules, followed by India with 35 exajoules.
The United States, with its large population, leads in oil consumption, using over 19.1 million barrels per day in 2022, along with 32.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Russia is a prominent producer and consumer of oil, with a daily consumption of 3.67 million barrels in 2021, and it is also one of the largest consumers of natural gas, with 408 billion cubic meters consumed in 2022.
Japan, despite its relatively small territory, ranks fifth in fossil fuel consumption. In 2022, it consumed over 151 million metric tons of oil and imported 180.3 million tons of coal. Korea, where oil is the primary energy source, imported 960 million barrels of crude oil in 2021 and was the third-largest LNG importer globally. Germany, another heavy consumer, used over 2 million barrels of oil per day and 2.3 exajoules of coal in 2022.
Canada, heavily dependent on oil for its transportation and industrial sectors, consumed upwards of 98 million metric tons of oil in 2022. Additionally, it recorded notable usage of coal and natural gas, demonstrating its diverse fossil fuel consumption patterns.
While not among the top consumers overall, several countries stand out for their per capita fossil fuel consumption. Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait all consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person. Equatorial Guinea, in particular, leads the world in per capita consumption, with 18 metric tons per person annually.
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Fossil fuel consumption per capita
The consumption of fossil fuels per capita varies significantly across the globe. While some countries have high per capita consumption rates, others exhibit much lower usage patterns. This disparity is often influenced by population size, with larger populations potentially skewing the overall consumption data. To gain a comprehensive understanding of fossil fuel consumption, it is essential to analyse the individual contributions of coal, oil, and gas, as their impacts on the environment differ.
In 2023, the total primary energy consumption per capita in the United States was approximately 279 million British thermal units (MMBtu). Among the states, Alaska had the highest per capita energy consumption at about 987 MMBtu per person, while Rhode Island recorded the lowest at around 171 MMBtu per person. West Virginia and Hawaii represented the highest and lowest per capita residential energy consumption, respectively. The world average per capita consumption of primary energy in 2022 was about 75 MMBtu.
The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and consumption patterns have evolved significantly since then. Over the past half-century, global fossil fuel consumption has increased dramatically, with an eightfold increase since 1950 and a doubling since 1980. In 2017, oil, coal, and natural gas collectively accounted for 81% of the world's energy consumption. Despite the growing adoption of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy landscape, highlighting the urgent need to transition to low-carbon alternatives.
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Oil consumption
The consumption of oil has significant environmental implications. Oil combustion is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with oil being the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions in 2020, responsible for 45% of carbon dioxide emissions. The extraction and transportation of oil also pose environmental and safety risks.
Global oil consumption has been increasing, with world oil demand exceeding 100 million barrels per day in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) projects that global oil product demand will reach 110 million barrels per day by 2045, with transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel expected to remain the most consumed products.
However, it is important to note that the future of oil consumption is uncertain as economies transition towards sustainable renewable energy sources. The consumption of oil and other fossil fuels needs to be rapidly reduced in the coming decades to mitigate their impact on health and the climate.
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Coal consumption
In 2024, global coal consumption reached an estimated 8.77 billion tons, surpassing the previous year's record of 164 exajoules. China remains the largest consumer of coal, accounting for 56% of global consumption. India and the United States are also major coal consumers, with India's consumption exceeding the combined consumption of Europe and North America in 2023.
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1.2°C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. It is also a major contributor to air pollution. Despite these negative impacts, coal continues to be a significant source of electricity generation, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. In 2024, coal contributed 35% of global power generation, according to the International Energy Agency.
However, there are efforts to phase out coal and transition to cleaner energy sources. As of the end of 2023, 84 countries had agreed to phase out coal or not develop new unabated coal power plants, collectively accounting for about 30% of current coal consumption for electricity generation. While advanced economies have already peaked in coal demand and are expected to decrease further, emerging economies are still experiencing increasing coal demand due to rising electricity and economic growth.
To reduce the environmental impact of coal consumption, governments and the coal industry are exploring less polluting and more efficient technologies, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Additionally, renewable energy sources like hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are becoming more prevalent in the global energy mix, helping to reduce the reliance on coal and other fossil fuels.
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Transitioning away from fossil fuels
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. However, the transition to cleaner energy sources is gaining momentum.
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023 marked a significant milestone, with nearly 200 countries agreeing to commit to transitioning away from fossil fuels. This consensus acknowledges the need to address climate change and protect the rights and interests of workers and citizens during this transition. While the agreement does not mandate a complete cessation of fossil fuel use, it emphasizes a "rapid phasing down" of unabated coal and a limitation on new coal-fired power generation.
Several options exist to facilitate this transition. Renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar power are increasingly being adopted. China, for instance, has significantly increased its renewable energy installation capacity over the past decade, with a corresponding decrease in coal usage. Additionally, improving energy efficiency in various sectors, such as buildings, transportation, and industrial processes, is crucial for reducing energy demand and emissions.
However, challenges remain. Renewable energy sources primarily produce electric energy, and their natural intermittency and storage pose difficulties. Nevertheless, innovations like green hydrogen show promise in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, government policies must go beyond simply promoting renewables to ensure a swift and effective transition.
The world is at a pivotal moment in the shift away from fossil fuels. With half of the world's economies already in transition, there is a growing recognition of the urgency to address climate change and embrace a more sustainable energy future.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly since 1950, doubling since 1980. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for more than 81% of energy production, with oil remaining the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ. Coal was the dominant fuel for power generation, with 37% of global electricity production, while renewables provided 27%.
In 2022, gasoline (excluding fuel ethanol) accounted for 52% of total energy consumption by the US transportation sector. In 2023, petroleum products accounted for about 89% of the total US transportation sector energy use. A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year and 400 grams of CO2 per mile.
In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated in the US. Around 60% of this electricity was generated from fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the main sources.
