Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels—such as coal, oil, and natural gas—have long been the dominant source of energy worldwide. In 2023, they accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal each making up a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This figure has remained relatively unchanged over the years, despite the growing contribution of renewable energy sources. In the United States, fossil fuels made up about 60% of electricity generation in 2023, while in Europe, their usage dipped below 70% for the first time ever. As the world grapples with the negative impacts of fossil fuels, including their significant contribution to global climate change and air pollution, there is an urgent need to transition to low-carbon energy alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy from fossil fuels in 2023 | 82% |
| Percentage of global energy from fossil fuels in 2019 | 81% |
| Percentage of US energy from fossil fuels in 2023 | 60% |
| Percentage of US energy from fossil fuels in 2013 | 66.8% |
| Percentage of US primary energy production from fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Percentage of global primary energy from fossil fuels | 80% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from coal in 2019 | 37% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from renewables in 2019 | 27% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from natural gas in 2019 | 24% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from nuclear in 2019 | 10% |
| Percentage of global electricity production from oil in 2019 | <3% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global energy in 2023
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—accounted for 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, 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, which reached a historic high, up 2% from 2022. This increase in fossil fuel consumption, particularly coal, led to a record 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, up 2% from the previous year.
While the contribution of renewable energy sources reached a new record high in 2023, the ever-increasing global energy demand meant that the share of energy from fossil fuels remained largely unchanged from previous years. Simon Virley, Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG in the UK, commented on this issue, stating that "with CO2 emissions also reaching record levels, it’s time to redouble our efforts on reducing carbon emissions and providing finance and capacity to build more low-carbon energy sources in the global south where demand is growing at a rapid pace."
The dominance of fossil fuels in the global energy mix has remained consistent over the years, with fossil fuels accounting for more than 81% of energy production in 2019. Coal was the most prominent fuel for power generation in 2019, comprising 37% of global electricity production, while renewables provided almost 27%. Oil has also consistently been a major contributor to energy production, maintaining its position as the most produced form of energy in 2019, despite a slight decrease in its share over time.
In the United States, fossil fuels have dominated the energy mix for over a century, and they continued to play a significant role in 2023. About 60% of electricity generation in the US in 2023 came from fossil fuels, while renewable energy sources contributed about 21%. Petroleum, a type of fossil fuel, accounted for approximately 38% of total US energy consumption in 2023, showcasing the continued reliance on fossil fuels in the country.
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Coal, oil, and natural gas are the most used
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are the most used energy sources globally. In 2023, they accounted for 82% of the world's energy mix, according to the Energy Institute's latest report. Oil and coal alone made up more than half of this, with a third and a quarter of global energy consumption, respectively. The demand for energy is increasing worldwide, especially in the Global South, where it is growing at twice the global rate. This has led to a corresponding increase in the consumption of fossil fuels, with coal being the single largest contributor to the rise in CO2 emissions.
Coal is the dominant fuel for power generation, and in 2019, it accounted for 37% of global electricity production, significantly more than renewables, which provided almost 27%. Oil is also a major contributor to energy production, and while its share of total energy production has decreased since the 1970s, it still provided nearly 3% of global electricity in 2019 and remained the most produced form of energy at 190 EJ.
The United States is the third-largest consumer of coal globally, and while its consumption has halved in the last decade, fossil fuels still accounted for about 60% of its electricity generation in 2023. Petroleum, a fossil fuel derived from crude oil, made up about 38% of US energy consumption in 2023, a slight decrease from the peak of 49% in 1978. Natural gas is another significant fossil fuel, and its use in electricity production is declining as renewables gain ground.
Despite the growing popularity of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate the global energy mix. However, there are efforts to reduce this reliance, with the Group of Seven (G7) agreeing to exit coal by the first half of the 2030s. Additionally, the IEA forecasts $2 trillion in investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure for 2024, nearly double the amount invested in fossil fuels.
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Fossil fuel consumption rose 1.5% from 2022 to 2023
Fossil fuel consumption rose by 1.5% from 2022 to 2023, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix. This increase in consumption led to a record 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a 2% rise from 2022. Despite this negative trend, some regions, such as Europe, have seen a decrease in fossil fuel consumption, with Europe dipping below 70% and the US, the world's third-largest consumer of coal, halving its consumption in the last decade.
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, with petroleum making up about 38% of that share. This is a slight decrease from the 1970s when total petroleum consumption peaked at about 49%. While the US still heavily relies on fossil fuels, there has been a growing trend in renewable energy sources. For instance, in 2023, about 21% of US electricity generation was from renewable energy sources, and the US onshore wind resources have a current installed capacity of over 144 GW.
On a global scale, fossil fuels continue to play a dominant role in energy systems, with coal, oil, and gas making up around four-fifths of global primary energy consumption. However, there is a shift towards gas and renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, solar, and onshore wind. Gas is seen as a positive transition from coal due to its lower CO2 emissions per unit of energy. Additionally, the IEA forecasts $2 trillion in clean energy technology and infrastructure investments in 2024, almost double the amount going to fossil fuels.
While there are efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to low-carbon energy sources, the ever-increasing global energy demand has kept the share of energy from fossil fuels relatively unchanged at just over 80%. This demand is growing at twice the global rate in the Global South, highlighting the urgent need to provide finance and capacity to build more low-carbon energy sources in these regions. The Group of Seven (G7) has taken a significant step by agreeing to exit coal in the first half of the 2030s, but more collective action is required to combat the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment.
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Europe's fossil fuel use fell below 70% in 2023
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) have long played a dominant role in global energy systems. In 2023, global primary energy consumption hit an all-time high, with fossil fuels comprising 82% of the global energy mix. Oil and coal made up a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This trend was driven by a spike in energy demand, with more than half coming from the Global South, where demand is growing at twice the global rate.
However, not all regions followed this upward trajectory. Notably, in Europe, fossil fuel use fell below 70% in 2023 for the first time ever. This significant milestone was driven by falling demand and the growth of renewable energy sources. Europe's demand for gas, in particular, has been declining since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which disrupted pipeline gas imports to the continent. As a result, overall gas demand in Europe fell by 7% in 2023, contributing to the decrease in fossil fuel reliance.
The reduction in fossil fuel consumption in Europe had a positive environmental impact, leading to a 6.6% decrease in CO2 emissions in the EU. This trend was also observed in the US, which saw a 2.7% reduction in CO2 emissions. These developments offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against global warming and climate change.
While Europe and the US showed promising signs of reducing their fossil fuel demand, other regions, such as India and growth economies, continued to exhibit increasing fossil fuel consumption. India's fossil fuel consumption increased by 8%, and it surpassed the combined consumption of Europe and North America for the first time. These contrasting regional variations highlight the complex nature of the global energy transition.
Despite the overall high consumption of fossil fuels globally, there were some positive signs of a shift towards renewable energy sources. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for 15% of global energy consumption, the highest share in history, driven by significant contributions from China. While this progress is encouraging, it is still far from the levels needed to curb global warming effectively.
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The US's fossil fuel energy production in 2023 was 60%
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, and they continue to play a significant role in energy production. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the United States came from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. This amounts to about 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity generated from fossil fuels.
While the US has made strides in renewable energy, fossil fuels remain a large part of its energy portfolio. In 2023, about 19% of electricity generation was from nuclear energy, and approximately 21% was from renewable sources. The US has seen a decrease in fossil fuel consumption in recent years, particularly in coal. In the last decade, coal consumption in the US has halved, leading to a notable decline in CO2 emissions.
Despite these positive steps, the US still faces challenges in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, particularly coal, have been the dominant source of energy globally and in the US for many decades. Coal is the cheapest form of energy, but it is also the dirtiest, contributing significantly to air pollution and climate change. As global energy demand increases, the share of energy coming from fossil fuels remains high, and the shift towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources needs to be accelerated.
The US has vast renewable energy potential, with significant capacity for onshore and offshore wind power. However, legislative inconsistencies and other factors have impacted the development of these resources. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout led to a decrease in petroleum consumption in 2020, but consumption increased again as economic activities resumed.
In summary, while the US has made progress in renewable energy and reduced fossil fuel consumption, fossil fuels still accounted for 60% of its electricity generation in 2023. To combat climate change and air pollution, a rapid transition to low-carbon energy sources is necessary, and the US must continue its efforts to decrease its dependence on fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy consumption.
Fossil fuels accounted for 60% of the US energy mix in 2023.
In 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for 21% of the US energy mix. In 2019, renewables provided almost 27% of global electricity, three points more than natural gas.
