Rajan Wilcox
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. In 2023, they 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. While there has been a shift towards renewable energy sources, fossil fuels still play a significant role in powering factories and industries. The burning of fossil fuels for energy has severe environmental and health impacts, contributing to global climate change and respiratory illnesses. This article will explore the extent of fossil fuel usage by factories and the efforts to transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy supplied by fossil fuels | 80% |
| Percentage of global energy supplied by fossil fuels in 2023 | 82% |
| Percentage of US energy supplied by fossil fuels in 2019 | 74% |
| Percentage of electricity produced by fossil fuels in 2022 | 60% |
| Percentage of US electricity generated by renewables in 2020 | 20% |
| Percentage of global energy consumption by oil and coal in 2023 | 55% |
| Percentage of fossil fuel consumption increase from 2022 to 2023 | 1.5% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions increase from fossil fuel combustion from 2020 to 2022 | 8% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions decrease from coal consumption from 2021 to 2022 | 6% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions increase from natural gas consumption from 2021 to 2022 | 5% |
| Percentage of US greenhouse gas emissions decrease since 1990 | 3% |
| Number of operational commercial CCS plants worldwide in 2020 | 26 |
| Amount of carbon captured by CCS plants in 2020 | 40 million tons |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels used for electricity, heat, and transportation
Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years, and they continue to supply about 80% of the world's energy. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past few centuries. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil fuels used for electricity
Electricity is one component of total energy consumption, along with transport and heating. Globally, fossil fuels account for a relatively small share of electricity production compared to the energy system as a whole. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States was from fossil fuels, with coal, natural gas, and petroleum being the most common sources. Oil accounts for only a small share of electricity production globally, with most coming from coal and gas. Coal is currently the largest source of electricity worldwide.
Fossil fuels used for heat
Natural gas is projected to meet an increasing share of US energy demand, particularly in the industrial sector, where it is used for industrial heat and power.
Fossil fuels used for transportation
The United States is a highly car-centric society, with 92% of households owning at least one car. About 30% of total US energy consumption in 2023 was for transporting people and goods. In 2023, petroleum products accounted for about 89% of the total US transportation sector energy use, with gasoline being the dominant transportation fuel, followed by distillate fuels (mostly diesel fuel) and jet fuel. The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption.
The use of fossil fuels for transportation has severe environmental consequences. Vehicles emit the most heat-trapping gases in the US economy, with passenger cars and light trucks contributing to 58% of total transportation emissions. However, there is a growing trend towards electrification, with advances in battery cost, range, performance, and charging making electric vehicles a more viable option.
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Oil, the largest source of carbon emissions in 2020
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have been powering economies for over 150 years, and currently supply about 80 percent of the world’s energy. In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions, with natural gas a close second. Oil combustion was responsible for 45% of US emissions in 2020. Oil constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption, and the transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption.
The burning of fossil fuels has changed significantly over the past few centuries, both in terms of what and how much we burn. Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past 50 years, roughly doubling since 1980. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, oil and gas are still growing quickly. Oil is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2020, there was a sharp decline in emissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on travel and economic activity. In 2022, fossil fuel combustion was the source of about 74% of total US human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, petroleum accounted for about 38% of US energy consumption, but petroleum was the source of 47% of total annual US carbon emissions.
There are several options for transitioning away from a fossil fuel economy. Hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are reliable sources of renewable energy and have been an increasingly large part of the US energy mix. Nuclear energy is another zero-carbon alternative, but it is expensive and leaves behind long-lasting radioactive waste. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings, vehicles, industrial processes, appliances, and equipment is the most immediate and cost-effective way to reduce energy use and cut emissions.
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Coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been powering economies for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and fossil fuel consumption has changed significantly over the past few centuries. While the types of fuel we rely on have shifted from solely coal towards a combination with oil and gas, coal remains the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel.
Coal is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties, differentiated largely by carbon content: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Nearly all of the coal burned in the United States is sub-bituminous or bituminous, which are middle-of-the-pack in terms of carbon content. However, regardless of variety, all coal is dirty and carbon-intensive. When coal is burned, its higher proportion of carbon molecules creates more CO2 per unit of energy. As a result, coal-fired power plants single-handedly generate 35% of dangerous mercury emissions in the United States, as well as two-thirds of US sulfur dioxide emissions and most of the soot in the air.
Coal supplies over one-third of global electricity generation and plays a crucial role in industries such as iron and steel. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, coal-fired power generation rose by nearly 2% in 2022, driven by high gas prices and extreme weather events. To address this issue, several countries have taken steps to transition away from coal power. For example, Portugal closed its last remaining coal plant in 2021, becoming the fourth country in the European Union to do so. Additionally, China started operations at the Taizhou coal-fired power plant, which is equipped with carbon capture technology, becoming the third large-scale coal plant in the world to implement this technology.
To reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants and transition to cleaner energy sources, a global annual average reduction of around 10% is needed through to 2030. This can be achieved through various measures, including retrofitting coal-fired power plants with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology, co-firing with ammonia or biomass, and retiring less efficient coal plants. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards reducing the carbon footprint of coal-fired power generation and mitigating its environmental impact.
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Gas, growing quickly
Fossil fuels have been powering economies for over 150 years, and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and fossil fuel consumption has changed significantly over the past few centuries. The types of fuel relied on have shifted from solely coal towards a combination with oil and gas. Today, coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, but oil and gas are still growing quickly.
Natural gas, a fossil fuel formed from the decomposition of organic matter, is sometimes referred to simply as "gas", especially when compared to other energy sources like oil, coal, or renewables. It is a major source of energy in the United States, powering a wide array of industrial purposes. In 2009, approximately 70 million homes, offices, and factories consumed 22 trillion cubic feet of natural gas as a power source. Natural gas is used for heating, cooling, and powering equipment in factories, and it is also used as a feedstock in chemical processes.
The industrial sector is the largest consumer of natural gas, accounting for 43% of its use across all sectors. Natural gas is used in factories to power conveyor belts and run heaters, coolers, and air purifiers. It is also used in the food and manufacturing sectors to run machines that prepare packaged foods, bottled beverages, home furnishings, appliances, and electronics.
Natural gas is expected to meet an increasing share of US energy demand, particularly in the industrial sector. Its use as a feedstock in chemical processes and for industrial heat and power is projected to increase. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of natural gas, and organisations are pushing for a transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.
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Fossil fuel consumption trends
Fossil fuel consumption has changed significantly over the past few centuries, both in terms of the types of fuel used and the amount consumed. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and consumption has increased significantly since then, roughly doubling since 1980 and increasing eightfold since 1950.
Today, fossil fuels supply about 80% of the world's energy, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of global energy consumption, respectively. This consumption reached a historic high in 2023, driven by a spike in energy demand, particularly from the Global South. However, it is important to note that the types of fossil fuels being consumed have shifted over time. While coal consumption is declining in many parts of the world, oil and natural gas consumption continue to grow.
The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. Fossil fuel-powered vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and boats, are major contributors to poisonous carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, which have harmful effects on the environment and human health. In 2019, burning fossil fuels accounted for 74% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with oil being the largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in 2020.
While there has been progress in scaling up renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency, fossil fuel consumption continues to be a significant contributor to global energy demand. In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the primary sources. However, there are efforts to transition to a cleaner energy system, with renewable energy sources becoming more accessible and affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, currently supply about 80% of the world's energy.
Fossil fuels are used by factories for energy, heat, and transportation. In 2022, 60% of electricity was generated by burning fossil fuels.
Oil and coal are the most used fossil fuels, accounting for a third and quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
China and India are the leading consumers of coal globally, with China burning more coal than the rest of the world combined. The US is the third-largest consumer of coal.
Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past few centuries. Since 1950, it has increased eightfold, and since 1980, it has roughly doubled. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards renewable energy sources, and consumption of coal has decreased in many parts of the world.
