Regan Brown
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are the world's primary energy source. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 82% of the global energy mix, with oil and coal making up a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels has severe consequences for the planet, as they are the largest contributor to global climate change, responsible for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. To combat climate change, there is a growing need to transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global energy produced by fossil fuels in 2023 | 82% |
| Percentage of global energy produced by fossil fuels in 2019 | 81%-84% |
| Percentage of global energy produced by fossil fuels in 2020 | 84% |
| Percentage of global energy produced by fossil fuels in the US in 2023 | 60% |
| Largest source of fossil fuels | Coal, oil and natural gas |
| Percentage of global energy produced by coal in 2019 | 25%+ |
| Percentage of global energy produced by oil in 2019 | 31-33% |
| Percentage of global energy produced by natural gas in 2019 | 24.2% |
| Percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions produced by fossil fuels | 75%+ |
| Percentage of global carbon dioxide emissions produced by fossil fuels | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global energy in 2023
The burning of fossil fuels is the largest contributor to global climate change, responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. This will require a shift away from fossil fuels and towards low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable technologies and nuclear power.
Despite the negative trend, not every country has increased its fossil fuel production. In Europe, fossil fuels dipped below 70% for the first time, and consumption in the US, the world's third-largest consumer of coal, has halved in the last decade. This has led to a significant decrease in CO2 emissions in both regions.
The transition to clean energy sources is not only important for mitigating climate change but also for improving human health. At least five million deaths are attributed to air pollution each year, with coal being the most polluting energy source in terms of the amount of CO2 produced and the amount of local air pollution it creates.
To accelerate the transition to clean energy, investments in renewable energy sources are crucial. Every dollar invested in renewables creates three times more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry. By 2030, about 5 million jobs in fossil fuel production could be lost, but an estimated 14 million new jobs would be created in clean energy, resulting in a net gain of 9 million jobs.
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Oil and coal made up a third and a quarter of energy consumption
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have long been the primary sources of energy globally. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 81% of global energy production, with a slight increase to 84% in 2019, according to BP's annual review. The latest data from 2023 shows that fossil fuels made up 82% of the global energy mix. This means that renewable energy sources accounted for only a small portion of the world's energy consumption, at approximately one-sixth.
Oil and coal, in particular, have been major contributors to energy generation. In 2019, oil maintained its position as the most important fuel, providing 31% of total world energy supply. This was followed by coal, which consistently accounted for more than a quarter of the global energy mix, or 162 EJ in 2019. Oil and coal continued to dominate in 2023, with each source accounting for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively.
The transport sector, in particular, relies heavily on oil as its dominant source of energy. Coal, on the other hand, has been a critical energy source for centuries and remains the dominant fuel for power generation. In 2019, coal accounted for 37% of global electricity production, significantly higher than renewables. However, coal consumption has been declining in OECD countries, reaching a record low in 2019.
The shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable and nuclear energy sources is crucial to mitigate climate change and improve human health. Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, responsible for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The burning of fossil fuels leads to air pollution, causing at least five million deaths annually. To address these concerns, investments in renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear power, are necessary to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future.
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Coal is the largest source of carbon emissions
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—comprised 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, according to the Energy Institute's latest report. Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world's energy consumption, respectively. This increase in fossil fuel consumption, especially coal, led to a record 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the highest level ever recorded.
Coal is the single largest source of carbon emissions and the most polluting energy source. It is responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1.2°C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Coal's high emissions are due to the large amount of CO2 released per unit of energy produced, as well as other pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, mercury, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to acid rain, smog, respiratory illnesses, lung disease, and neurological and developmental damage in humans and animals.
Coal mining also has significant environmental impacts. For example, mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have altered large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky, and the water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, coal-fired power plants produce fly ash and bottom ash residues, which contribute to air pollution. In 2022, CO2 emissions from burning coal for energy accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of emissions from the electric power sector.
To address these issues, research is underway on carbon capture methods, which separate and sequester CO2 emissions underground. Reusing and recycling waste from coal burning can also reduce environmental impacts, and land reclamation can turn previously mined areas into useful spaces. Additionally, air pollution laws now require most fly ash emissions to be captured by pollution control devices.
Despite these efforts, coal remains a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, and international agreements, like the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce coal consumption and transition to low-carbon energy sources. The G7 countries, for example, have agreed to exit coal in the first half of the 2030s, marking a crucial step toward the international pledge to "transition away" from fossil fuels.
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Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global warming
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are the predominant source of energy globally, accounting for 81%-82% of the world's energy mix in 2023. While low-carbon energy sources are gaining traction, the shift away from fossil fuels is not happening fast enough to curb the escalating global temperatures and climate change.
The burning of fossil fuels is the most significant contributor to global warming. In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that fossil fuels were responsible for nearly 90% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the primary driver of global warming. The latest data from 2023 reveals that the increase in fossil fuel consumption, particularly coal, led to a record-breaking 40 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions, surpassing the previous year's already high levels.
Coal, the most polluting fossil fuel, is a major culprit in global warming. It is responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1°C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Oil, another significant contributor, accounts for approximately one-third of the world's total carbon emissions. Natural gas, despite being promoted as a cleaner alternative, is still a fossil fuel that contributes to a fifth of global carbon emissions.
The transportation sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with over 94% of its fuel being petroleum-based. This sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from the combustion of gasoline and diesel in cars, trucks, ships, planes, and trains. The manufacturing industry is also a major player, with fossil fuels being burned to produce energy for creating cement, iron, steel, plastics, and other goods. Additionally, the construction industry, commercial and residential buildings, and agriculture contribute to emissions through the use of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and energy generation.
To limit global warming and mitigate its impacts, a swift transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources is imperative. The Paris Agreement of 2015 underscores the global commitment to reducing carbon emissions, and countries are taking steps toward phasing out fossil fuels. However, more urgent and comprehensive action is needed to align with the agreement's goals and safeguard our planet from the devastating consequences of climate change.
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Cleaner energy sources are gaining ground
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, made up 82% of the global energy mix in 2023, according to the Energy Institute. This figure is a slight increase from 2019, when fossil fuels accounted for over 81% of global energy production. Coal, the most polluting energy source, is responsible for over 0.3C of the 1.2C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution and is a major contributor to air pollution.
Despite this, cleaner energy sources are gaining ground. In 2024, renewable energy sources and battery storage made up the vast majority of new additions to the grid in the United States. Solar power installations in 2024 surpassed 2023's record, adding an estimated 39.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, compared to 27.4GW in 2023. This continues a decade-long trend of rapid growth in solar power. Battery storage capacity also nearly doubled in 2024, reaching almost 29 GW, and is projected to grow by another 47% in 2025.
In Europe, fossil fuels dipped below 70% of the energy mix for the first time ever, and in the US, consumption of coal has halved in the last decade. These changes have led to a significant decrease in CO2 emissions in both regions: 6.6% in the EU and 2.7% in the US.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower emit little to no greenhouse gases, are readily available, and are in most cases cheaper than coal, oil, or gas. 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. Prices for renewable energy technologies are dropping rapidly, making them more attractive to low- and middle-income countries, where most of the additional demand for new electricity will come from.
Cheap electricity from renewable sources could provide 65% of the world's total electricity supply by 2030, decarbonizing 90% of the power sector by 2050 and massively cutting carbon emissions. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, however, greater progress is needed. To displace existing fossil fuels in the energy mix, low-carbon energy sources must not only meet new energy demands each year but also grow much faster.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels comprised 82% of global energy production in 2023.
Fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.
Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Coal is the most polluting energy source in terms of the amount of CO2 produced per unit of energy and the amount of local air pollution created.
Fossil fuels accounted for 81% of global energy production in 2019, and this figure increased to 84% in 2020.
