Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide emissions, and they are used to generate electricity. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from fossil fuels, predominantly coal, natural gas, and petroleum. While natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal, leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines emit methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Despite steep gains in clean power output, fossil fuels remain the primary source of global electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global electricity production from fossil fuels | 60% |
| Fossil fuels that are used to generate electricity | Coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases |
| Fossil fuel with the largest share of electricity generation globally | Coal |
| Fossil fuel with the second-largest share of electricity generation globally | Natural gas |
| Share of global electricity production from low-carbon sources | More than one-third |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from fossil fuels in 2023 | 59% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from natural gas in 2023 | 24% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from petroleum in 2023 | 0.4% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from other gases and sources in 2023 | 0.5% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from nuclear energy in 2023 | 18% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from hydropower in 2023 | 6% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power in 2023 | 4% |
| Share of U.S. electricity generation from geothermal power in 2023 | Less than 1% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon emissions
Fossil fuels are the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions were attributed to fossil fuels and industry. The combustion of fossil fuels for electricity production, heat, and energy across all sectors is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions. In 2022, 60% of electricity in the United States was generated by burning fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas.
The industrial sector, which includes fossil fuel-burning facilities, chemical reactions, and waste management, accounted for 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Fossil fuel combustion in this sector significantly contributes to global carbon emissions.
The transportation sector is another major source of carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Over 94% of transportation fuel is derived from petroleum, resulting in direct emissions from cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions and the second-largest source when including indirect emissions from electricity end-use.
The commercial and residential sectors also contribute to carbon emissions from fossil fuels. These sectors utilize fossil fuels for heating, refrigeration, and cooling, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
While natural gas is considered a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, it still accounts for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. In 2020, natural gas was responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States due to leaks from plants, wells, and pipelines emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
To mitigate the impact of fossil fuels on carbon emissions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being employed. In 2020, 26 commercial CCS plants worldwide captured 40 million tons of carbon, equivalent to 0.11% of annual global emissions. As technology improves, the number of CCS plants is expected to increase, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of fossil fuel usage.
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Coal, oil and gas are the most common fossil fuels used
Fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy worldwide, with coal, oil, and gas being the most common fossil fuels used to generate electricity. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide, with this number dropping slightly to 60% in 2023. Coal is currently the largest source of electricity globally, with gas being the second largest. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of U.S. energy consumption, a decrease from previous years due to the rising popularity of natural gas and renewable energy.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation varies across countries. For instance, the UK has witnessed a dramatic decline in coal's contribution to its electricity mix, now accounting for just a couple of percent. In contrast, other countries continue to rely heavily on coal, such as China, where it has severe health consequences, with an estimated 670,000 premature deaths occurring annually due to coal usage.
Oil constitutes about one-third of U.S. energy consumption, but it accounts for only a small share of electricity production globally, with most electricity derived from coal and gas. The burning of fossil fuels for energy has significant environmental impacts, contributing to large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, as well as other pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which cause acid rain.
While natural gas emits less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants than coal, leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In 2020, natural gas was responsible for 36% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuels, they continue to play a significant role in electricity generation due to their reliability and affordability. However, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources, with an increasing number of countries transitioning to cleaner, low-carbon energy sources.
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Natural gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal
In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum. While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it emits less carbon dioxide than coal when generating electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas emits almost 50% less carbon dioxide than coal. This is because natural gas is primarily methane (CH4), which has a higher energy content compared to other fuels, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions relative to its energy content.
However, it is important to consider that leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines emit methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 to 34 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. In 2020, natural gas was responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and methane emissions from natural gas systems and abandoned wells accounted for about 33% of total U.S. emissions in 2021.
The environmental impact of natural gas extraction and coal mining also differs. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, used to extract natural gas, requires large amounts of water and can contaminate surrounding areas with hazardous chemicals if not properly managed. On the other hand, coal mining leads to deforestation and water quality devastation.
As the cost of renewable energy continues to decrease, it is becoming a more viable alternative to both coal and natural gas. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of U.S. electricity generation, and its share is expected to grow. Additionally, technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help mitigate the effects of burning fossil fuels, although they should not be seen as a justification for continuing to rely on them.
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The US produced 24% and consumed 22% of the world's natural gas in 2020
Fossil fuels are a significant source of electricity, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the primary fuels used. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from fossil fuels. While natural gas emits less carbon dioxide and other pollutants than coal, it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, especially through leaks of methane, the main component of natural gas.
The US has been a dominant player in global natural gas production, often leading the world in output. In 2020, the United States maintained its position as the top producer and consumer of natural gas globally. That year, US natural gas production and consumption totaled 66.9 quadrillion British thermal units (quads), with a production share of 24% and a consumption share of 22% worldwide. This trend of US leadership in natural gas production began in 2014.
However, the US lead in natural gas production may be short-lived. While the US has doubled its natural gas production from 2005 to 2022, other regions, such as the Middle East, Russia, and Iran, have substantial proven natural gas reserves. The Middle East, in particular, had 2.7 quadrillion cubic feet of proven reserves at the end of 2020, compared to 446 trillion cubic feet in the US.
The US has seen a shift towards natural gas as power plants adopt it as a replacement for coal and a backup for renewable energy sources. This transition has contributed to natural gas becoming the fastest-growing fossil fuel globally. However, the overall trend in the US is a decrease in fossil fuel usage and a corresponding increase in renewable energy sources. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to grow further.
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Fossil fuels are not the only way to generate electricity
Fossil fuels are indeed a major source of electricity, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the most commonly used sources. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from these fossil fuels. However, it is important to recognize that fossil fuels are not the only means of generating electricity, and there are several alternative options available.
Firstly, nuclear energy plays a significant role in electricity generation, accounting for about 19% of US electricity production in 2023. While nuclear energy has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, it is a viable alternative to fossil fuels and contributes substantially to the overall electricity supply.
Renewable energy sources are also making significant strides in the electricity sector. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to continue growing. Sources of renewable energy include solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, hydropower, and geothermal power plants. The increasing adoption of renewable energy sources is driven by their sustainability and reduced environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.
In addition to renewable energy sources, there are other alternative methods for generating electricity. For example, biomass, which accounted for about 1% of US electricity generation in 2023, is used in steam-electric power plants or converted into gas for use in steam generators, gas turbines, or internal combustion engine generators. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards electric vehicles (EVs) that utilize electricity from the grid and store it in batteries. This shift towards EVs contributes to a more sustainable energy landscape.
While fossil fuels have dominated the energy sector for many years, the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable alternatives is well underway. With the development of new technologies and a growing awareness of environmental concerns, the world is gradually moving away from fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity generation. This shift is reflected in the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, the exploration of alternative methods, and the decline in the usage of coal and other fossil fuels for electricity production.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are the largest source of electricity globally, with coal and gas being the most common. In 2023, about 60% of electricity in the US was generated from fossil fuels. Worldwide, several key countries sourced well over half of their electricity from fossil fuels in 2023, including China (65%), India (75%), and Japan (63%).
Fossil fuels are fuels made from the remains of dead plants and animals. They include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Alternatives to fossil fuels include renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal power, as well as nuclear energy.
Some countries get most of their electricity from nuclear or renewable sources, including Sweden, Norway, France, Paraguay, Iceland, and Nepal.
In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity were generated in the US, with fossil fuels accounting for about 60% of this. This means that fossil fuels were used to generate around 2.5 trillion kWh of electricity in the US in 2023.
