Global Coal Consumption Reached Record Peak in 2024

In spite of global efforts to shift to clean energy, coal consumption reached an all-time high in 2024, undermining international attempts to control climate change.

Power Generation Patterns

The share of coal in electricity generation dropped as renewable energy grew. However total electricity consumption increased, leading to higher coal usage globally, according to a latest climate action report.

It’s clear that we are largely on the correct path. We are just not moving fast enough,” said a analyst from a leading thinktank. “One of the most concerning findings from our assessment is that efforts to eliminate coal are far behind schedule.”

Environmental Goals and Challenges

To reach net zero by 2050 and limit global heating to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, additional industries must adopt electricity instead of traditional energy sources.

But this strategy is effective if the world’s power grid transitions to clean sources. “The trouble is that a power system dependent on fossil fuels has significant far-reaching consequences,” explained the expert. “The message on this is crystal clear. We cannot restrict temperature increases to 1.5°C if coal use keeps breaking records.”

Government Strategies and International Developments

Although many countries have pledged to reduce fossil fuel consumption following a international commitment, certain countries are expanding production of the most polluting fuel.

• The Indian prime minister celebrated exceeding 1 billion tonnes of coal production this period.
• In the US, a political figure has declared his support for coal and other fossil fuels.

Efforts to halt renewable energy projects and remove financial support for clean power have not yet resulted in increased carbon output. But, the analysis indicated these measures could impact later pollution levels, although other nations might counteract the impact by continuing to favor renewables.

Clean Power Growth

The good news is that renewable energy generation has grown “exponentially”, with photovoltaic energy called “the most rapidly expanding power source in recorded time.”

But this progress is still not enough: the annual growth rates of solar and wind power must double for the world to meet the required emissions cuts by 2030.

“There’s no question that opposition on clean energy complicate efforts for the international community to keep the climate accord target within reach,” said a senior research associate. “But the wider shift is much bigger than a single nation, and momentum is growing across economies and developing nations, where renewables has become the most affordable and dependable path to economic growth and power stability.”

Other Climate Concerns

Globally is moving too slowly on improving power conservation, particularly in lowering carbon emissions from heating buildings.

Industrial emissions are also a worry: the iron and steel industry has been increasing its “carbon intensity” – the carbon generated per ton of metal manufactured – despite attempts in some countries to adopt low-carbon methods.

Transportation and Deforestation

Transitioning to electric vehicles is progressing more rapidly – more than one in five of cars sold last year were zero-emission. In China, the share was closer to 50%.

The analysis also emphasized concerns about the state of the planet’s natural carbon storage – woodlands, bogs, marshes, seas and additional ecosystems that absorb CO2. Although nations have repeatedly pledged to protect their forests, tree loss continues, albeit at a reduced pace in certain regions.

• Last year, over 8,000,000 acres of woodland were permanently lost.
• This is lower than the high of nearly 11 million acres recorded in 2017, but worse than the 7.8 million hectares destroyed in 2021.
• Globally needs to move nine times faster to stop deforestation than national authorities are achieving.

Forthcoming Climate Summit

World leaders and high-ranking officials will gather in South America next month for the Cop30 UN climate summit to address how to set the planet on a path to stay within 1.5°C of temperature rise, in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Every nation is required to present a comprehensive national plan on carbon reduction, known as a “nationally determined contribution.” However, it is already clear that such strategies will be insufficient, so the crucial issue will be how nations respond.