Katerina Swanson
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, fossil fuel consumption reached a new high, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix. Despite a general trend towards renewable energy sources, the world still has a long way to go before renewables dominate the energy market. This transition away from fossil fuels is crucial, as their impact on health and the climate has been significant, with the burning of fossil fuels leading to dramatic changes to Earth's climate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy from fossil fuels | 80-82% |
| Fossil fuel consumption worldwide in 2023 | 140,231 terawatt-hours |
| Fossil fuel consumption worldwide in 2019 | 617 EJ |
| Fossil fuel consumption by type in 2023 | Oil and coal each accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption |
| Fossil fuel consumption by region in 2023 | Driven by a spike in energy demand, more than half of which came from the Global South |
| Leading consumers of coal | China, India |
| Leading consumer of oil | United States |
| Percentage of US electricity generation from renewable energy in 2020 | 20% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from coal in 2019 | 37% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from renewables in 2019 | 27% |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix in 2023
- Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption in 2023
- China and India are leading the consumption of coal globally
- Fossil fuel consumption has been decreasing in Europe and the US
- The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption
Fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix in 2023
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. In 2023, the world consumed 1.5% more fossil fuels than in 2022, with these three fossil fuels comprising 82% of the global energy mix. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively, with coal consumption increasing by 1.6% and oil consumption by 2%. This increase in fossil fuel consumption, particularly coal, led to a record-high 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 2% higher than in 2022.
While there has been a growing push toward cleaner energy sources, coal remains the leading source of electricity generation worldwide. In 2023, renewable energy sources like solar and wind accounted for only 8% of the energy generated, while fossil fuels dominated the global energy mix. China, the world's largest energy consumer, generated nearly 60% of its electricity from coal, while India's coal consumption was even higher, providing close to three-quarters of its electricity production.
However, there are some positive signs of a transition towards cleaner energy sources. In 2023, China led the global renewable race, accounting for 55% of all renewable energy additions, more than the rest of the world combined. The Group of Seven (G7) nations, including the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK, agreed to exit coal by the 2030s, marking a significant step toward transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Despite these efforts, the world still has a long way to go before renewables dominate the energy mix. The ever-increasing global energy demand means that the share of energy from fossil fuels has remained unchanged at just over 80%. To combat this, there is a need to focus on reducing carbon emissions and investing in low-carbon energy sources, especially in the Global South, where energy demand is growing rapidly.
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Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption in 2023
Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years, and they continue to dominate the world's energy mix. In 2023, global primary energy consumption reached an all-time high, with fossil fuels accounting for 82% of the global energy mix. Oil and coal alone accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, marking a 2% increase from 2022. This trend was driven by a spike in energy demand, particularly from the Global South, where energy demand is growing at twice the global rate.
While the world is gradually transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the demand for fossil fuels remains high. Oil, derived from underground reservoirs, shale deposits, and tar sands, is a significant contributor to global energy consumption. The transportation sector is the largest consumer of oil, and it played a key role in the increased fossil fuel consumption in 2023. Despite a brief dip in oil production and consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for oil is expected to rebound.
Coal, another major component of fossil fuel consumption, also reached a new high in 2023, driven by increased usage in China and India. China, the world's largest coal consumer, increased its coal consumption by 4.7%, while India's coal usage surged by 9.7%. These two countries, along with the contribution from non-OECD countries, led to a 2% increase in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
The energy landscape is evolving, with renewables playing an increasingly important role. Since 2000, the annual growth rate of renewable energy has consistently outpaced other energy sources. China, a key player in the renewable energy race, accounted for 55% of all renewable energy additions in 2023. However, despite these positive trends, the overall energy demand growth is still being met by fossil fuels. The world consumed more oil, coal, and natural gas in 2023 than ever before, highlighting the ongoing challenge of aligning global energy consumption with climate goals.
To summarize, oil and coal consumption accounted for a significant portion of the world's energy usage in 2023, contributing to a third and a quarter of the total, respectively. This trend, driven by increasing energy demand, particularly from the Global South, has led to record-high fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. While renewables are gaining traction, the world still has a long way to go in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating their impact on the climate.
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China and India are leading the consumption of coal globally
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying around 80% of the world's energy. However, there is a pressing need to transition to low-carbon energy sources, such as nuclear and renewables, to mitigate their detrimental impact on health and the climate.
In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the most significant contributors. While the consumption of fossil fuels has decreased in some regions, such as Europe and the United States, it has increased in others, particularly in the Global South, where energy demand is surging.
China and India are the leading consumers of coal globally, with their demand continuing to rise. In 2023, China and India were expected to account for nearly three-quarters of the coal consumed worldwide. China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined, with its consumption reaching approximately 56% of the global total in 2023. India, on the other hand, now burns more coal than Europe and North America combined, contributing about 13.4% to global coal consumption in the same year.
Both China and India have witnessed a substantial increase in their coal consumption over the years. China's consumption has more than doubled since 1998, although it has been showing a decreasing trend since 2013. India, too, has experienced a similar trajectory, with its consumption rising steadily. In March 2023, China and India set new records, with China surpassing 400 million tonnes and India exceeding 100 million tonnes of coal consumption.
The high demand for coal in these countries has significant implications for global carbon emissions. Coal is the single largest source of carbon emissions from the energy sector, and the continued reliance on coal in China and India contributes significantly to the increasing levels of CO2 emissions worldwide.
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Fossil fuel consumption has been decreasing in Europe and the US
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. They played a crucial role in industrialization and rising prosperity. However, in recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to transition away from fossil fuels due to their impact on health and the environment.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal making up a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. However, there are notable differences in fossil fuel consumption trends between regions.
In Europe, fossil fuel consumption has dipped below 70% for the first time, and in the US, which is the world's third-largest consumer of coal, consumption has halved in the last decade. These reductions have led to significant decreases in CO2 emissions in both regions.
Several factors have contributed to the decrease in fossil fuel consumption in Europe and the US. Firstly, there has been a growing adoption of renewable energy sources and low-carbon energy technologies. For example, in 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to continue growing. Additionally, the cost of renewable energy and natural gas has dropped, making coal less competitive. As a result, coal usage has decreased, leading to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Furthermore, policies and agreements have been put in place to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. For instance, the Group of Seven (G7), which includes major economies such as the US, UK, France, and Germany, agreed to exit coal in the first half of the 2030s. This aligns with the international pledge to "transition away" from fossil fuels made at COP28.
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The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been powering economies for over 150 years. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world’s energy consumption, respectively.
In 2022, total biofuels consumption accounted for about 6% of total US transportation sector energy consumption. Biofuels may be blended into gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. Compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas are used in cars, buses, trucks, and ships. Most vehicles that use natural gas are in government and private fleets.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a Green Vehicle Guide, and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have published guidance on improving electric vehicle efficiency. The use of decarbonized fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green methanol, can also help reduce the transportation sector's reliance on oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels currently supply around 80% of the world's energy, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix in 2023.
China leads the world in coal consumption, burning more coal than the rest of the world combined. India is also a top consumer, burning more coal than Europe and North America combined. The US is the third-largest consumer of coal.
Worldwide fossil fuel consumption amounted to 140,231 terawatt-hours in 2023, an increase from the previous year and the highest figure on record.
World energy production amounted to 617 EJ in 2019, a 2% increase from 2018. Fossil fuels accounted for over 81% of production that year.
In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption, while oil constituted about one-third.
