Regan Brown
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2017, 81% of the world's energy consumption was from fossil fuels, with nearly 15 billion metric tons consumed annually. China, the United States, and India are the top three consumers, using 54% of the world's fossil fuels. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of the United States' primary energy production, with petroleum, natural gas, and coal being the most consumed. The average American consumes more than 23 barrels of petroleum products like gasoline, propane, or jet fuel annually. While renewable energy sources are growing, fossil fuels continue to dominate the global energy landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy mix in 2023 | 82% |
| Percentage of world's energy supplied by fossil fuels | 80% |
| US fossil fuel consumption in 2023 | 77.2 quadrillion British thermal units |
| Peak US fossil fuel consumption | 81.28 quadrillion British thermal units (2018) |
| Percentage of US energy from fossil fuels | 60% |
| World's top 3 consumers of fossil fuels | China, the United States, and India |
| Global primary energy demand growth in 2021 | 5.8% |
| Global consumption of fossil fuels in 2021 | 490 exajoules |
| Average American's consumption of petroleum products in a year | 23 barrels |
| Number of CCS plants in operation in 2020 | 26 |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel consumption by country
Fossil fuel consumption remains a significant global issue, with oil, coal, and natural gas accounting for 81-82% of the world's energy consumption. While renewable energy sources are gaining traction, nearly 15 billion metric tons of fossil fuels are still consumed annually. This section will explore the top fossil fuel-consuming countries and their contributions to global energy demands.
The United States, with its vast population, leads the world in overall fossil fuel consumption. In 2022, the US consumed over 19.1 million barrels of oil per day and 32.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This equates to 76 exajoules of fossil fuel energy in 2023, making the US responsible for a significant portion of global consumption, alongside China.
China is the largest consumer of coal, accounting for 56% of global consumption in 2023. This contributed to the country's overall fossil fuel consumption of 140 exajoules, which was almost half of the global total when combined with US consumption. India, ranking third globally, consumed 35 exajoules of fossil fuels in 2023, with coal consumption surpassing the combined total of Europe and North America.
Other notable fossil fuel consumers include Russia, Japan, and Canada. Russia, a prominent player in the oil market, consumed 3.67 million barrels of oil daily in 2021, along with 408 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2022. Japan, despite its relatively small territory, ranked fifth in fossil fuel consumption in 2022, consuming over 151 million metric tons of oil and importing 180.3 million tons of coal. Canada, heavily dependent on oil, consumed upwards of 98 million metric tons of oil in 2022, along with considerable amounts of coal and natural gas.
It is worth noting that some countries, such as Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, and Singapore, have extremely high per capita fossil fuel consumption rates, exceeding 10 tons per person annually. These countries often produce large amounts of fossil fuels themselves, contributing to their high consumption rates relative to their population size.
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Fossil fuel consumption per person
Fossil fuels—including coal, oil, and natural gas—have powered economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy. Fossil fuels are finite resources, and burning them has severely impacted Earth's climate. An excess buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels has caused dramatic changes to Earth's climate, and this trend will worsen as more fossil fuels are burned.
Coal, for example, typically produces more carbon dioxide and local air pollution per unit of energy. It has been a critical energy source and mainstay in global energy production for centuries. However, it is also the most polluting energy source, and moving away from coal energy is crucial for combating climate change and protecting human health.
Oil, on the other hand, is one of the main energy sources in the United States and is refined into petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It is also used in the petrochemical industry to create plastics. Natural gas, while emitting less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants than coal, still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through leaks and direct emissions from combustion.
While global fossil fuel consumption is significant, it is important to consider consumption per person. The largest consumers use more than ten times the amount of fossil energy than some of the smallest consumers. As low-carbon sources of energy become more accessible, the world needs to transition rapidly away from fossil fuels to mitigate their negative impacts on the environment and human health.
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Fossil fuel consumption over time
Fossil fuels have been the dominant source of energy for over 150 years, powering economies and societies since the Industrial Revolution. However, the consumption of fossil fuels has changed significantly over time, with an overall increase in consumption but a shift in the types of fossil fuels used.
During the Industrial Revolution, coal was the primary energy source, but over the past few centuries, the world has transitioned to a combination of coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal is still the largest source of electricity globally, but its share is decreasing in many parts of the world. Oil and gas, on the other hand, are growing quickly. In 2020, oil was the largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in the US, with natural gas close behind.
According to the Energy Institute, in 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas each contributing a significant share. This mix has remained relatively consistent, with fossil fuels supplying about 80% of the world's energy for many years. However, there are regional variations, with Europe's reliance on fossil fuels dipping below 70% and the US, the world's third-largest consumer of coal, halving its consumption in the last decade.
While fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy sector, there is a growing trend towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources. The International Energy Agency has noted that renewable energy sources reached a new record high in 2023, and investments in clean energy technologies are expected to double in the same year. Additionally, carbon capture and storage technologies are being employed to reduce carbon emissions from the fossil fuel sector.
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Fossil fuel consumption by type
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have powered economies for over 150 years. In 2023, they comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
Coal
Coal has been a critical energy source for centuries, but it is also the most polluting. It is the single largest source of carbon emissions and a major contributor to air pollution. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of U.S. electricity. While coal consumption has decreased in some countries, it remains dominant in many others.
Oil
Oil is another significant contributor to energy consumption, though it accounts for a smaller share of electricity production. In the U.S., oil was the largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in 2020. Oil consumption decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic but is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels as economies recover.
Natural Gas
Natural gas emits less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants than coal when generating electricity. However, leaks from natural gas infrastructure emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In 2020, natural gas was responsible for 36% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and its use is projected to increase in the industrial sector.
Petroleum
Petroleum is another fossil fuel that has dominated the U.S. energy mix. Its consumption peaked in the U.S. in the 1970s, with a total consumption of about 49% in 1978. In 2023, petroleum consumption in the U.S. was about 38%.
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Fossil fuel consumption by sector
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, the global energy mix comprised 82% fossil fuels, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
In the United States, fossil fuel consumption varies across sectors. The transportation sector is the largest consumer of primary fossil fuel energy in the country, heavily relying on petroleum-based motor fuels. In 2023, the transportation sector consumed over 26.1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of fossil fuel energy, making up more than half of the country's fossil fuel-produced energy consumption, along with the electric power sector. The electric power sector has seen a decline in fossil fuel consumption in recent years, moving towards renewable energy sources.
The industrial sector is another significant consumer of fossil fuels in the US, particularly natural gas, which is used as a feedstock in chemical processes and for industrial heat and power. In 2020, natural gas consumption increased in this sector due to declining prices. Additionally, the commercial, residential, and electric power sectors contribute to fossil fuel consumption in the US.
While coal consumption has decreased in some countries, it remains a critical energy source globally and is the largest source of electricity worldwide. Coal is the cheapest fossil fuel but also the dirtiest, contributing significantly to air pollution and global climate change. Oil, while accounting for a smaller share of electricity production, is another major contributor to carbon emissions, particularly in the United States in 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
The world consumed 505 exajoules of fossil fuels in 2023, which is a 1.5% increase from 2022.
Fossil fuels supply about 80% of the world's energy, with this figure fluctuating between 80% and 82% in recent years.
World energy production amounted to 617 exajoules in 2019, with fossil fuels accounting for 81% of production in 2019. Fossil fuel production decreased strongly in 2020 relative to 2019, by 5%.
Fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. They have been powering economies for over 150 years and are the largest driver of global climate change.
