Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of energy for over 150 years. They have played a significant role in driving technological, social, and economic progress since the Industrial Revolution. However, the extensive use of fossil fuels has also contributed to global climate change and local air pollution, leading to millions of premature deaths annually. As of 2019, fossil fuels accounted for over 80% of the world's energy consumption, with oil, gas, and coal contributing 33.1%, 24.2%, and 27%, respectively. While there has been a decline in fossil fuel usage in some regions, global consumption reached a record high in 2023, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix. The transition to renewable energy sources is crucial, but it will be challenging due to the dominance of fossil fuels and the reliance of many industries on them.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel consumption by country
Fossil fuels—oil, coal, and gas—remain the most widely used source of energy worldwide, despite the increasing popularity of renewable energy sources. In 2017, 81% of the world's energy consumption came from these fuels, a figure that decreased only slightly to 81.5% in 2022. According to the United Nations, fossil fuels are responsible for over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming.
The top 10 countries dominating the fuel consumption list include some surprises. The US is the largest oil consumer, with over 19.1 million barrels consumed per day in 2022, and 32.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The US is followed by China, which consumed 76 exajoules of fossil fuels in 2023, and India, with 35 exajoules. Together, China and the US account for almost half (47%) of global fossil fuel consumption.
Other countries with high fossil fuel consumption include Japan, which was the fifth-largest consumer in 2022, and Russia, which produced roughly 11.28% of the world's oil in 2021 and consumed 3.67 million barrels daily. Korea is another heavy consumer of fossil fuels, importing 960 million barrels of crude oil and 126 million tons of coal in 2021. Germany, meanwhile, consumed over 2 million barrels of oil per day and 2.3 exajoules of coal in 2022.
Some countries with high fossil fuel consumption rates are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Russia has announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 through increased investment in renewable energy sources. Korea aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 by shifting from coal power to LNG and other cleaner energy sources. Canada, which consumed upwards of 98 million metric tons of oil in 2022, has set a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and is exploring renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, and solar power.
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Fossil fuel consumption by type
Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past 50 years, with a global consumption increase of around eight-fold since 1950 and roughly doubling since 1980. However, the types of fossil fuels that are being consumed have shifted from solely coal towards a combination of coal with oil and natural gas.
In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, according to the Energy Institute's latest report on world energy. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. The remaining quarter of the fossil fuel consumption in this mix is made up of natural gas. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, oil and gas consumption are still growing quickly.
In the United States, fossil fuels accounted for about 80% of energy production in the past decade, with a peak of 94% in 1966. In 2023, petroleum (including crude oil) made up about 38% of total US energy consumption, while natural gas made up about 15%. The US remains the world's third-largest consumer of coal, although its consumption has halved in the last decade.
In Europe, fossil fuel consumption dipped below 70% for the first time ever. China leads the world in coal consumption, burning more coal than the rest of the world combined. India is now burning more coal than Europe and North America combined. Despite these worrying trends, there is reason for optimism. For instance, China also leads the world in renewable energy additions, and the Group of Seven has reached an agreement to exit coal by the 2030s.
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Fossil fuel production by type
Fossil fuels are a non-renewable source of energy that includes oil, coal, and natural gas. They are formed from the remains of prehistoric organisms, such as animals, plants, or microplankton, that have been buried in the Earth's crust for millions of years. While fossil fuels have been key to industrialization and rising prosperity, they also contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. There is a growing need to transition to low-carbon energy sources to mitigate their negative impacts.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the primary sources. Oil and coal alone accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. China, the United States, and India are the top three consumers of fossil fuels, with China burning more coal than the rest of the world combined. However, it is also leading the global renewable race, accounting for 55% of all renewable energy additions in 2023.
While global fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past decades, the types of fuel relied on have shifted. Coal consumption is declining in many parts of the world, while oil and gas are still growing quickly. In the United States, fossil fuels have dominated the energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed over time. Petroleum consumption, which peaked in the 1970s, has decreased in recent years due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The production and consumption of fossil fuels have several environmental impacts beyond their contribution to global warming and climate change. Coal mining methods, such as mountaintop removal and strip mining, have negative consequences, and offshore oil drilling poses hazards to aquatic life. Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels generates sulfuric and nitric acids, which contribute to acid rain, affecting both natural areas and the built environment.
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Fossil fuel consumption by sector
Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, have long been the primary energy source for the United States. In 2019, 80% of domestic energy consumption in the US originated from fossil fuels, a decline from its peak of 94% in 1966.
The transportation and electric power sectors are the most significant consumers of fossil fuels, accounting for more than half of the fossil fuel-produced energy in the country. In 2023, petroleum provided about 89% of the transportation sector's primary energy consumption, while gasoline and diesel remained the most common motor fuels.
The electric power sector has also been heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with natural gas consumption accounting for 38% of the sector's total energy consumption in 2020, a record high. Overall, the sector consumed about 96% of total US energy consumption in 2023.
The residential and commercial sectors are also notable consumers of fossil fuels, with over 80% of their energy consumption being natural gas, primarily for space heating.
While there has been a push for renewable energy sources, the US still heavily relies on fossil fuels. In 2020, the total consumption of fossil fuels fell to 72.9 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), a 9% decrease from 2019, largely due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and warmer weather, reducing demand for heating fuels. Despite this, renewable energy consumption still falls far below the levels needed to offset fossil fuel use.
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Fossil fuel consumption over time
Fossil fuel consumption has changed significantly over the past few centuries, both in terms of what fuels are used and how much is consumed. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and since then, global fossil fuel consumption has increased massively, rising eightfold since 1950 and doubling since 1980.
The types of fuel relied on have also changed over time. While coal was once the primary source of energy, consumption has shifted towards a combination of coal with oil and gas. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production. In the same year, petroleum made up about 38% of total US energy consumption, down from 49% in 1978. In the UK, the use of fossil fuels for energy production has fallen in recent years, with coal consumption falling below 0.3 exajoules in 2020.
Despite the growth in renewable energy consumption, fossil fuels continue to supply much of the energy used worldwide. Fossil fuels are projected to remain the dominant source of energy, accounting for 78% of world energy use in 2035. Petroleum and other liquid fuels are expected to remain the largest energy source worldwide through 2035, although their share of total energy use is projected to decrease from 34% in 2008 to 29% in 2035.
The consumption of fossil fuels has had significant impacts on health and the environment. Fossil fuels are the largest driver of global climate change, contributing to rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels when burned. They are also a major contributor to local air pollution, which has been linked to millions of premature deaths each year.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the main sources.
The United States is the world's third-largest consumer of coal and fossil fuels account for 80% of its energy consumption.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production.
Fossil fuels are formed in the Earth’s crust from decayed organic material. The three main sources are petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
