Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have long been the dominant source of energy worldwide. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 80-84% of global primary energy production, with coal being the largest contributor. However, the energy landscape is evolving, and the share of fossil fuels in the global energy mix has remained relatively stable, while renewable sources are gaining traction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy from fossil fuels | 80-84% |
| Fossil fuel consumption in 2023 | 1.5% more than 2022 |
| Fossil fuels included | Coal, oil, natural gas, and petroleum |
| Fossil fuel consumption in the US | Decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| US fossil fuel consumption in 2023 | 60% of electricity generation |
| US primary energy consumption in 2023 | 94 quadrillion Btu |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest driver of climate change
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are the primary source of energy worldwide, accounting for over 80% of the global energy mix in 2023. This figure has remained relatively unchanged over the years, with fossil fuels dominating the US energy sector for more than a century. While there have been efforts to transition to renewable energy sources, global energy demand continues to be driven by fossil fuels. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels has severe consequences, as they are the largest driver of climate change.
When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and subsequent climate change. The average global temperature has already increased by 1°C, surpassing the critical 1.5°C milestone in 2024. This temperature rise has been primarily attributed to fossil fuels, with coal being responsible for over 0.3°C of this increase.
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation and industrial processes is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In the transportation sector, road vehicles, ships, and planes that rely on the combustion of petroleum-based products are significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the manufacturing industry uses fossil fuels to produce energy for creating cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, and other goods, further adding to the emissions.
The impact of fossil fuels extends beyond their direct emissions. The production and transportation of fossil fuels can also contribute to climate change. For example, oil spills can have devastating effects on ocean ecosystems, and the process of extracting and transporting fossil fuels can result in additional greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the demand for fossil fuels has led to deforestation and land clearing, reducing the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.
To summarize, fossil fuels are the largest driver of climate change due to their direct emissions of greenhouse gases, their indirect impacts on ecosystems and land use, and their dominance as the primary energy source worldwide. Addressing the issues associated with fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources is essential to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for the planet.
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Coal, oil, and gas dominate the energy mix
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—have long dominated the energy mix, and they continue to do so, despite the growing popularity of renewable energy sources. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, and 60% of electricity generation. Globally, the picture is similar, with fossil fuels making up 82% of the energy mix in 2023, according to the Energy Institute. This is a slight increase on the previous year, driven by a spike in energy demand, particularly in the Global South.
The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, making it the largest driver of global climate change. It is also a major contributor to air pollution, which is linked to millions of premature deaths each year. As such, there is a growing need and desire to transition to low-carbon energy sources.
The use of fossil fuels has changed over time. In the past, coal was the dominant fuel, but today, it is responsible for around a quarter of the world's energy consumption, with oil and gas also playing a major role. The shift towards gas is positive from a climate perspective, as it emits less CO2 per unit of energy than coal. However, the ultimate goal is to move away from fossil fuels altogether and towards low-carbon sources such as nuclear power and renewables.
Renewable energy sources are available in all countries and are becoming increasingly popular. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90% of the world's electricity could and should come from renewables by 2050. Prices for renewable energy technologies are dropping rapidly, making them an attractive option for countries looking to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and drive inclusive economic growth.
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Fossil fuel consumption is falling in some parts of the world
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. While fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-century, there are signs that this trend is beginning to change. In 2023, fossil fuel consumption in the US fell by 17%, and consumption has halved in the last decade. This is due in part to regulations on coal generation and an abundance of natural gas.
In Europe, fossil fuel consumption has also decreased. In 2023, every European country reduced its fossil fuel consumption, with the continent as a whole cutting its reliance on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine. Europe's consumption of fossil fuels as a percentage of energy fell below 70% for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, as the continent undergoes a partial deindustrialization.
While some countries are reducing their fossil fuel consumption, others are increasing it. In 2023, global coal consumption hit a new high, driven by China and India. China's fossil fuel consumption increased by 6% to a new high of 139 exajoules, while India is now using more coal than the US and the European Union combined. Despite massive increases in renewable energy capacity, China continues to increase its consumption of fossil fuels.
Overall, the world consumed more oil, coal, and natural gas in 2023 than ever before, with fossil fuels comprising 82% of the global energy mix. However, renewable energy sources also reached a record high, and investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure are expected to double in 2024. While the share of global energy coming from fossil fuels has remained relatively unchanged, there is reason to be optimistic about the growth of renewable energy sources.
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The US remains the world's third-largest consumer of coal
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. The US is the world's third-largest consumer and producer of coal. In 2018, the US produced 685 million tonnes of coal, approximately 9.3% of the world's total. The country accounted for 8.4% of global coal consumption in the same year. Coal-fired power plants provide affordable, reliable, and constant power that is available on-demand to meet energy consumption needs.
The US holds the world's biggest coal reserves. As of December 2018, the US held over 250 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves, accounting for approximately 24% of the world's total. Coal reserves in the US are widely distributed geographically, with Montana, Wyoming, Illinois, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania hosting more than three-quarters of the total reserves. The North Antelope Rochelle coal mine in Wyoming is the world's biggest coal mine by reserves.
Coal is the most abundant source of electricity worldwide, providing more than 36% of global electricity. In the US, coal accounts for approximately 27% of the country's electricity generation. Coal-fueled power plants account for nearly a quarter of the electricity in the US. US mines account for virtually all of the coal used to provide electricity domestically.
Coal is a significant source of carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. Coal use in the US has been declining due to the growth of clean energy sources and lower natural gas prices. Consumption of coal in the US has halved in the last decade, leading to a 2.7% decrease in CO2 emissions.
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Cleaner energy sources are gaining ground
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. In the same year, fossil fuels comprised 82% of the global energy mix. While fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, cleaner energy sources are gaining ground.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower emit little to no greenhouse gases, are readily available, and are cheaper than coal, oil, or gas in most parts of the world. The cost of electricity from solar power fell by 85% between 2010 and 2020, while the costs of onshore and offshore wind energy fell by 56% and 48%, respectively. This has made renewable energy more attractive, especially to low- and middle-income countries, where most of the additional demand for new electricity will come from.
The transition to cleaner energy sources is also driven by the need to address the negative health impacts of air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 99% of people globally breathe air that exceeds safe limits, leading to over 13 million avoidable deaths each year.
In the United States, solar deployment and electric vehicle sales broke records in 2023 and 2024. As of 2024, renewables (including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower) and battery storage made up 30% of the country's large-scale power-generating capacity. Installed solar capacity in the US now totals about 220 GW, enough to provide over 7% of the nation's electricity.
China is also experiencing a clean energy boom, with more wind turbines and solar panels installed in 2025 than in the rest of the world combined. Chinese companies are building electric vehicle and battery factories worldwide, and the country's largest automakers and electronics companies have introduced systems that can recharge electric cars in just five minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels account for about 80% of global energy production.
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Coal is the primary source of fossil fuel energy, followed by oil and gas.
Fossil fuels account for about 60% of US electricity generation and 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear power are alternatives to fossil fuels.
