Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the world's primary energy source for over 150 years. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal making up a third and quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This has led to a concerning increase in carbon dioxide emissions, with coal being the single largest contributor to the rise in global temperatures and air pollution. Despite a general downward trend in fossil fuel consumption in regions like Europe and the US, the overall share of fossil fuels in global energy supply remains high, underscoring the urgent need for a transition to low-carbon energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy supplied by fossil fuels | 80-82% |
| Fossil fuels that make up this percentage | Coal, oil, natural gas |
| Percentage of fossil fuel production decrease in 2020 compared to 2019 | 5% |
| Fossil fuel with the highest decrease in production in 2020 | Oil (-7%) |
| World energy production in 2019 | 617 EJ |
| US fossil fuel energy production in 2023 | 84% |
| US fossil fuel energy consumption in 2023 | 60% |
| US fossil fuel energy consumption in 2020 | 20% |
| US fossil fuel with the highest energy consumption in 2020 | Oil (38%) |
| US fossil fuel with the highest energy consumption in 2023 | Petroleum (38%) |
| US energy sector with the highest fossil fuel consumption in 2023 | Transportation sector (89%) |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuels accounted for 84% of US primary energy production in 2023
- Oil and coal made up a third and a quarter of global energy consumption in 2023
- In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions
- The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption
- Coal is the world's dirtiest fuel
Fossil fuels accounted for 84% of US primary energy production in 2023
Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for over 100 years, and in 2023, they accounted for 84% of US primary energy production. This figure includes fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal. The transportation sector, for example, relied heavily on petroleum for about 89% of its primary energy consumption in 2023.
While the US has seen a decrease in coal consumption over the last decade, it remains the world's third-largest consumer of coal. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption, a decrease from previous years. The decline in coal usage has resulted in a significant drop in carbon dioxide emissions, with a 50% reduction between 2007 and 2019.
Oil, another significant fossil fuel, has seen a decrease in production and consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels in the coming years. Oil constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption and is the largest source of energy-related carbon emissions in the country.
Natural gas is also projected to meet a growing share of US energy demand, particularly in the industrial sector. The US energy landscape is diverse, with various energy sources being measured in different units, such as liquid fuels in barrels or gallons and electricity in kilowatts and kilowatt-hours.
While fossil fuels have dominated, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to increase. Hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are all becoming more prominent in the US energy mix.
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Oil and coal made up a third and a quarter of global energy consumption in 2023
Fossil fuels continue to dominate the global energy mix. In 2023, the world consumed 1.5% more fossil fuels than in 2022, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of global energy consumption. This meant that fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with renewable sources making up the remaining 15%—the highest share in history.
Oil and coal consumption in 2023 reached a historic high, driven by a spike in energy demand, more than half of which came from the Global South, where energy demand is growing at twice the global rate. This trend was observed despite the growing adoption of renewable energy sources in major economies. Several key countries sourced over half of their electricity from fossil fuels in 2023, including the United States (59%), China (65%), India (75%), Japan (63%), Poland (73%), and Turkey (57%).
China and India were the leading consumers of coal globally. China burned more coal than the rest of the world combined, while India's coal consumption surpassed that of Europe and North America combined. Worldwide, coal consumption reached around 164.03 exajoules in 2023, an increase from the previous year's figure of 161.53 exajoules.
The high consumption of fossil fuels, particularly coal, contributed to record-high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. According to the Statistical Review of World Energy, the increase in fossil fuel consumption led to 40 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions, a 2% increase from 2022. This rise in emissions contributed to global warming and had negative environmental impacts.
While fossil fuel consumption remained high, there were some positive trends. In Europe, fossil fuel consumption dipped below 70% for the first time, and consumption in the United States, the world's third-largest consumer of coal, has decreased in the last decade. These reductions resulted in significant decreases in CO2 emissions: a 6.6% decrease in the EU and a 2.7% decrease in the US. Additionally, China, a top coal consumer, also led the global renewable race, accounting for 55% of all renewable energy additions in 2023.
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In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century. In 2023, fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production. While the US has seen a decrease in coal consumption, oil consumption has remained high. In 2020, oil was the largest source of US energy-related carbon emissions. Oil constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption.
Oil, coal, and natural gas comprised 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, according to the Energy Institute. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. In the US, petroleum provided about 89% of the transportation sector's primary energy consumption in 2023. The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions. Over 94% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum-based, resulting in direct emissions.
While natural gas emits less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants 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. In 2020, natural gas was responsible for 36% of US greenhouse gas emissions.
The US has seen a decline in carbon dioxide emissions from coal, with a 50% decrease from 2007 to 2019. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption, a decrease from previous years. The decline in coal usage has resulted in a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions from coal.
To reduce energy use and cut emissions, it is important to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, vehicles, industrial processes, appliances, and equipment. Additionally, orienting cities and towns around public transit, walking, or biking can help reduce energy demand. While carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies exist, they are difficult and expensive to implement.
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The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption
Fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, and petroleum—accounted for about 84% of the US primary energy production in 2023. In 2022, the transportation sector in the US consumed 2.85 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Petroleum provided about 89% of the transportation sector's primary energy consumption in 2023.
The transportation sector is considered a major consumer of energy and oil products worldwide. In 2008, world transportation energy consumption accounted for 27% of final energy consumption, while the total share of industrial energy consumption was 37%. The transport sector is either the largest or most rapidly growing consumer of liquid fuels in most regions. Oil demand in the road transportation sector accounts for more than 50% of total world oil consumption, including road, aviation, railway, waterways, and international marine transportation. The high demand rate makes this sector the major oil consumer in the world.
The vehicle ownership or intensity of vehicles is one of the main factors determining the development of oil demand in this sector. Road oil consumption has increased by about twice in OECD countries, rising from 591 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe) to 1132 mboe between 1971 and 2008. The increase in oil consumption was also significant in non-OECD countries, rising from 148 to 687 mboe during the same period.
While the mix of energy sources in the US has changed over time, fossil fuels have dominated the energy landscape for over a century. In 2023, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal each accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
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Coal is the world's dirtiest fuel
Fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, and petroleum—accounted for about 80-84% of the global energy mix in 2023. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
In addition to the direct impacts of burning coal, there are also indirect effects on the environment and human health. Water pollution is a localized effect of coal use, occurring during the extraction process or waste handling. While carbon capture and storage technologies have been proposed to address carbon emissions, they are expensive and do not mitigate the impacts of coal mining or toxic coal ash.
Despite the negative impacts of coal, it remains a significant source of energy globally due to its low cost. However, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources, and coal power plants are closing down in some regions due to regulations, aging infrastructure, and competition from alternative energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels accounted for 81% of global energy production in 2019, with oil being the most produced form of energy. In 2020, fossil fuel production decreased by 5% compared to 2019, mainly due to the global health crisis and its impact on transport demand. In 2022, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption.
Oil is the most produced form of energy, with 190 EJ in 2019, although its share has been decreasing over the years. For example, oil accounted for 44% of total energy supply in 1971, but this had dropped to 31% by 2010.
In 2019, coal accounted for 27% of global energy consumption. While global coal production increased by 1.5%, led by China and Indonesia, global coal consumption declined by 0.6%, and coal's share in primary energy fell to a 16-year low.
