Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the dominant energy source for over 150 years, currently supplying about 80% of the world's energy. However, burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, making them the largest driver of global climate change. In 2023, emissions from fossil fuels rose by 1.1% compared to 2022, reaching a record high of 36.8 billion metric tons of CO2. While there have been efforts to transition to renewable energy sources, fossil fuel consumption and its impact on the environment remain critical issues. This raises the question: what percentage of fossil fuels are burned, and how can we reduce our reliance on them?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global primary energy from fossil fuels | 80% |
| Fossil fuel consumption since 1950 | Increased eight-fold |
| Fossil fuel consumption since 1980 | Doubled |
| Fossil fuel CO2 emissions in 2023 | 36.8 billion metric tons |
| Fossil fuel CO2 emissions in 2022 | 8% increase from 2020, 1% increase from 2021 |
| Fossil fuel CO2 emissions as a percentage of total US GHG emissions in 2022 | 74% |
| Fossil fuel CO2 emissions as a percentage of total US anthropogenic CO2 emissions in 2022 | 93% |
| Percentage of US energy consumption by petroleum in 2023 | 38% |
| Percentage of total annual US energy-related CO2 emissions by petroleum in 2023 | 47% |
| Percentage of US energy consumption by coal in 2020 | 19% |
| Percentage of US energy-related carbon emissions by oil in 2020 | Largest source |
| Percentage of global carbon emissions by India and China in 2023 | Largest increase |
| Percentage of carbon emissions absorbed by the ocean and land | About 50% |
| Percentage of carbon emissions that stay in the atmosphere (airborne fraction) | 44% |
| Percentage of carbon capture by CCS plants in 2020 | 0.11% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel consumption by country
Fossil fuel consumption varies significantly by country, with several nations dominating the fuel consumption list. Despite the global push for renewable energy sources, fossil fuels remain the primary energy resource for many countries. Here is a breakdown of fossil fuel consumption by country:
United States
The United States is a significant consumer of fossil fuels, particularly oil. In 2022, the US consumed over 19.1 million barrels of oil per day and 32.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This makes the US the largest oil consumer in the world. When it comes to per capita consumption, however, the US is surpassed by several smaller countries.
China
China is a close second to the US in fossil fuel consumption. In 2023, China consumed 140 exajoules of fossil fuels, with a focus on coal, accounting for 47% of global fossil fuel consumption alongside the US. China is also a major importer of crude oil, with Russia being its largest supplier. China's consumption patterns have a significant impact on global energy dynamics.
India
India ranks third in fossil fuel consumption, with a particular focus on coal. In 2023, India's coal consumption surpassed the combined total of Europe and North America. This trend has significant implications for global coal markets and emissions.
Russia
Russia is a key player in the global oil market, producing approximately 11.28% of the world's oil in 2021. While Russia consumes a significant amount of oil and natural gas domestically, it is also a major exporter, particularly to China.
Japan
Despite its relatively small territory, Japan ranks fifth in fossil fuel consumption. In 2022, Japan consumed over 151 million metric tons of oil and imported 180.3 million tons of coal. This high consumption is likely due to Japan's limited renewable energy sources and its advanced economy.
South Korea
South Korea is heavily reliant on oil, which is its primary energy source. In 2021, the country imported 960 million barrels of crude oil and 126 million tons of coal. South Korea is also the third-largest LNG importer in the world. To address its high fossil fuel consumption, South Korea has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Canada
Canada is another country with high fossil fuel consumption, particularly in its transportation and industrial sectors. In 2022, Canada consumed upwards of 98 million metric tons of oil, along with significant amounts of coal and natural gas. Canada has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and is actively exploring renewable energy sources.
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Fossil fuel consumption per person
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) have played a dominant role in global energy systems since the Industrial Revolution. However, burning them produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and is the largest driver of global climate change. Fossil fuel consumption per person varies significantly across the world, with the largest consumers using more than ten times the amount of fossil energy than the smallest consumers.
Looking at energy consumption at the country level often reflects population size rather than actual per-person consumption. When adjusted for population, the data shows a more accurate picture of fossil fuel consumption per person. This data is typically measured in kilowatt-hours per person and includes derivatives of coal and natural gas consumed in Gas-to-Liquids transformation.
The types of fossil fuels consumed and their relative contributions vary by region. Coal, for instance, is a critical energy source that has been used for centuries, but it is also the most polluting in terms of CO2 emissions and local air pollution. Oil and gas are also significant contributors to global energy production and consumption, with oil consumption increasing in many parts of the world.
To address the negative impacts of fossil fuels, a transition to low-carbon energy sources is necessary. This involves rapidly reducing the share of fossil fuels in global primary energy consumption, currently accounting for about four-fifths of the total. Electricity, transport, and heating are the main components of total energy consumption, with fossil fuels having a more substantial role in transport and heating than in electricity production.
While carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels rose to record levels in 2023, some regions like Europe and the United States have shown a slight decrease. This highlights the importance of analyzing fossil fuel consumption per person to identify regions with high consumption rates and target them for energy system changes.
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Fossil fuel consumption over time
Fossil fuels have been a key driver of industrialization and global energy systems. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution. However, the consumption of fossil fuels has changed significantly over time, in terms of both the types of fuel used and the amount consumed.
For most of human history, energy sources were very basic, including human muscle, animal muscle, and the burning of biomass such as wood or crops. The Industrial Revolution unlocked a new energy resource: fossil fuels. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) have played and continue to play a dominant role in global energy systems.
Over the past few centuries, the types of fuel we rely on have shifted from solely coal towards a combination of coal, oil, and gas. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, oil and gas consumption are still growing quickly. Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-century, roughly doubling since 1980 and increasing eight-fold since 1950.
Today, fossil fuels account for a much smaller share of electricity production than the energy system as a whole. Around four-fifths of global primary energy comes from fossil fuels, with electricity, transport, and heating being the three components of total energy consumption. While fossil fuel consumption varies across countries, the largest consumers use more than ten times the amount of fossil energy than the smallest consumers.
Despite some regions, such as Europe and the United States, showing a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, emissions from fossil fuels continue to rise globally. According to an international team of scientists, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels rose by 1.1% in 2023 compared to 2022 levels, reaching a record high of 36.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. The largest increases in emissions in 2023 were seen in India and China.
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Fossil fuel consumption by type
Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past few centuries, with a roughly eightfold increase since 1950 and a doubling since 1980. The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and they have been a fundamental driver of technological, social, and economic progress. However, their impact on health and the climate has led to a need to transition away from them. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas, and they are the largest driver of global climate change, producing carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned.
According to an international team of scientists, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels rose again in 2023, reaching record levels. The Global Carbon Budget, an annual checkup on Earth's carbon cycle, found that emissions from fossil fuels rose by 1.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, bringing total fossil fuel emissions to 36.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. When including other sources such as deforestation and wildfires, total emissions were estimated at 40.9 billion metric tons.
Around four-fifths of global primary energy consumption comes from fossil fuels, with coal, oil, and gas being the main sources. Oil accounts for only a small share of electricity production, with most coming from coal and gas. In the United States, fossil fuels have dominated the energy mix for over a century, although the mix has changed over time. In 2023, petroleum (a type of fossil fuel) accounted for about 38% of total US energy consumption, down from a peak of 49% in the 1970s.
While fossil fuel consumption varies across the world, it is important to note that the largest consumers use more than ten times the amount of fossil energy than the smallest consumers. As we move forward, it is crucial to rapidly reduce the share of fossil fuels in the global energy mix by transitioning to low-carbon energy sources.
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Transitioning away from fossil fuels
Fossil fuels have been a fundamental driver of technological, social, and economic progress since the Industrial Revolution. However, their negative impact on health and the climate has led to a growing global consensus on the need to transition to cleaner energy sources.
According to the United Nations, ending our reliance on fossil fuels is key to tackling climate change. In 2023, nations at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai approved a roadmap for "transitioning away from fossil fuels," marking a significant step forward in international climate negotiations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that renewable energy technologies like wind and solar are often cheaper than fossil fuels and urged countries to remove roadblocks to knowledge sharing and technological transfer to facilitate this transition.
Indeed, half of the world's economies are already transitioning away from fossil fuels, with clean electricity growth led by solar and wind power. This shift has slowed the growth of fossil fuels in the power sector and led to a rapid decline in coal consumption in many countries. However, current policies are not ambitious enough to achieve the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. There is a need to accelerate the transition by enhancing grids, improving flexibility with solutions like battery storage, and implementing timely policy interventions.
To accelerate the transition to renewable energy, the United Nations has outlined several critical actions. These include streamlining planning, permitting, and regulatory processes, as well as incentivizing investments in renewable energy projects. Additionally, removing fossil fuel subsidies, which amounted to approximately $5.9 trillion in 2020, is crucial for cutting emissions and promoting sustainable economic growth, job creation, and improved public health. At least $4 trillion per year needs to be invested in renewable energy infrastructure and technology until 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels currently supply about 80% of the world's energy.
In 2019, electricity and heat production accounted for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
In 2019, transportation accounted for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
Oil constitutes about one-third of US energy consumption.
