Global coal consumption hits new highs
Coal use worldwide is projected to peak at 8.7 billion tons this year, driven by energy demand spikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Jillian Ambrose reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts coal consumption will hit 8.77 billion tons in 2024, remaining high until 2027.
- China's coal demand, making up 30% more than the rest of the world combined, is expected to rise by 1% this year.
- Renewable energy growth may stabilize coal use, but demand in developing countries is still increasing due to the gas crisis.
Key quote:
“The rapid deployment of clean energy technologies is reshaping the global electricity sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the world’s coal use. As a result, our models show global demand for coal plateauing through 2027 even as electricity consumption rises sharply.”
— Keisuke Sadamori, IEA director of energy markets and security
Why this matters:
The surge in coal use reverses climate progress and increases greenhouse gas emissions. While developed nations move away from coal, rising demand in China and India underscores the challenge of transitioning to clean energy globally.
Meanwhile in the U.S.:
