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 coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the world's energy consumption. Despite the growing adoption of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels remain the dominant source of global electricity, powering key global manufacturing and exporting economies. The continued reliance on fossil fuels has significant implications for climate change, air pollution, and human health, underscoring the urgent need for a transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy created by fossil fuels in 2023 | 82% |
| Percentage of global energy created by fossil fuels in 2019 | 81% |
| Percentage of global energy created by fossil fuels in 2020 | 75% |
| Percentage of global electricity generated by fossil fuels in 2023 | Over 60% |
| Largest source of fossil fuel energy in 2023 | Coal |
| Second-largest source of fossil fuel energy in 2023 | Oil |
| Third-largest source of fossil fuel energy in 2023 | Natural Gas |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global energy in 2023
While there has been a notable shift towards renewable energy sources, the persistent demand for energy has maintained fossil fuels as a significant component of the global energy mix. In 2023, several key countries, including the United States, China, India, Japan, Poland, and Turkey, sourced more than half of their electricity from fossil fuels. This trend underscores the ongoing challenge of transitioning to cleaner energy sources and highlights the urgency of addressing climate change.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) attributes the rise in CO2 emissions partly to a drought-induced decrease in hydropower generation. Among fossil fuels, coal stands out as the largest contributor to carbon emissions, responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1.2°C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels has significant health and economic implications, with air pollution causing approximately $2.9 trillion in costs in 2018.
To combat climate change and mitigate its impacts, a significant reduction in emissions is necessary. The transition to net-zero emissions is expected to result in a net increase in energy sector jobs, with approximately 14 million new positions anticipated in clean energy. While progress toward a low-carbon economy has been slow, some countries have made considerable strides in decarbonizing their energy systems.
As the world navigates the challenges of increasing energy demand and addressing climate change, it is crucial to accelerate the adoption of renewable and low-carbon energy sources. This includes investing in clean energy technologies and infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and exploring alternative sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric power, and nuclear power. The goal is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and foster a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.
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Oil and coal consumption
Fossil fuels, including coal and oil, are the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. In 2023, 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, respectively. This marked a 2% increase from 2022, driven by a spike in energy demand, with more than half coming from the Global South.
Oil consumption:
Oil is the most important fuel globally, and while its share of the energy mix has decreased since 1971, it still accounted for over a quarter (31%) of the world's energy consumption in 2019. Oil production decreased by 7% in 2020 due to the global health crisis, which reduced transport demand. Oil provides less than 3% of global electricity, a small share compared to coal and natural gas.
Coal consumption:
Coal is the single largest source of carbon emissions, responsible for over 0.3 degrees Celsius of the 1.2-degree increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. While coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world, it remains the dominant fuel for power generation. In 2019, coal accounted for 37% of global electricity production, 10% more than renewables. In 2023, global coal consumption reached 164.03 exajoules, a slight increase from the previous year, driven by higher demand from the power sector in China and India. In 2024, global coal consumption continued to grow at a steady pace, spurred by the ASEAN and falling in OECD countries due to phase-out policies and rising nuclear power generation.
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Coal's impact on climate change
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, made up 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, according to the Energy Institute's report on world energy. Coal alone accounted for a quarter of the world's energy consumption, which reached a record high last year. As the cheapest and dirtiest fossil fuel, coal is the single largest source of carbon emissions, responsible for over 0.3C of the 1.2C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution.
Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed deep underground over thousands of years of heat and pressure. When burned, coal releases energy and produces carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. The increase in coal consumption has led to a spike in carbon dioxide emissions, with the latest annual report showing a 2% increase from 2022, reaching a record high of 40 gigatonnes.
Coal-fired power plants are a significant source of air pollution, releasing toxins and pollutants such as mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These emissions have severe environmental and public health impacts, including respiratory illnesses, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, coal mining practices, such as mountaintop removal and valley fill mining, have altered landscapes and contaminated water sources, affecting aquatic wildlife and downstream communities.
To address coal's impact on climate change, there is a growing trend towards cleaner and renewable energy sources. The International Energy Agency forecasts $2 trillion in investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure this year, nearly double the amount allocated to fossil fuels. The Group of Seven (G7) has also committed to exiting coal in the first half of the 2030s, marking a significant step towards reducing emissions and mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.
While transitioning away from coal can be challenging for communities reliant on coal mines and plants, it is crucial to mitigate coal's worst impacts on the environment and public health. Efforts to reduce emissions, develop alternative energy sources, and increase investment in clean energy technologies are essential to address coal's impact on climate change and create a more sustainable future.
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Renewable energy sources
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary sources of energy since the late 1800s. In 2023, they accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal contributing to a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. However, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important as the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and address climate change.
One of the most prominent renewable energy sources is solar power. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource and can be harnessed through solar panels, which capture sunlight and convert it into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Despite variations in sunlight availability depending on location, season, and time of day, solar power has the potential to be a significant energy source worldwide.
Wind power is another major renewable energy source. Wind turbines, located onshore or offshore, convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy. Offshore wind power offers tremendous potential for electricity generation. The technical potential for wind energy exceeds global electricity production, and many regions have ample capacity for wind energy deployment.
Hydropower, the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector, utilizes the kinetic and thermal energy of water to generate electricity and provide other services such as drinking water and irrigation. However, it relies on stable rainfall patterns and can be impacted by climate-induced droughts and ecosystem changes. As a result, small-scale hydro is often considered a more environmentally friendly option.
Other renewable energy sources include bioenergy, which involves burning organic matter as fuel, and geothermal energy, which utilizes the Earth's interior heat. While bioenergy produces lower emissions than fossil fuels, its large-scale use can lead to negative environmental impacts, including deforestation and land-use change.
The transition to renewable energy offers multiple benefits. It helps address climate change and air pollution, reduces import dependency, fosters inclusive economic growth and job creation, and protects against unpredictable fossil fuel price swings. According to the IEA, the transition to net-zero emissions is expected to result in a net gain of 9 million jobs in the energy sector.
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Global electricity generation
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary source of global energy for over 150 years. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal contributing to a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This high demand for fossil fuels has led to a corresponding increase in carbon dioxide emissions, with coal being the single largest source of carbon emissions.
Despite the growing adoption of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate global power systems. In 2023, over 60% of global electricity was produced by fossil fuels, with several key countries sourcing more than half of their electricity from these fuels. However, the energy transition away from fossil fuels is gaining momentum. Between 1971 and 2019, the total world energy supply increased by 2.6 times, and during this period, the share of oil in the energy mix decreased from 44% to 31%, while coal remained in second place at over a quarter of the total.
While coal's dominance in power generation has been consistent, there has been a notable shift towards renewables in recent years. In 2019, renewables provided almost 27% of global electricity, surpassing natural gas for the first time in 2013. This trend is expected to continue, with renewable energy sources becoming increasingly cost-competitive and offering a way to reduce import dependency and drive inclusive economic growth.
The transition to renewable energy sources is crucial to mitigating climate change. Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and avert further increases in global temperatures, a significant reduction in fossil fuel usage is necessary.
To accelerate the shift towards renewable energy, several strategies can be employed. These include improving energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and industrial processes, as well as promoting public transit, walking, and biking instead of private vehicle use to reduce energy demand. Additionally, investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure are vital, with an expected $2 trillion forecasted to be invested in 2024, almost double the amount invested in fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global energy in 2023.
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas, and have been used to power economies for over 150 years.
Coal is the largest source of energy from fossil fuels, responsible for 36% of global electricity in 2023.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water, waste, and geothermal energy are alternatives to fossil fuels.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90% of the world's electricity should come from renewable sources by 2050.
