Worldwide fossil fuel consumption amounted to ******* terawatt-hours in 2024. This was an increase compared to the previous year and also the highest figure in the period of consideration.

In 2023, global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes reached a record high of 37.8 billion metric tons (GtCO₂). Global CO₂ emissions are projected to have reached record levels in 2024. The world has pumped more than 1,800 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution began, though almost 45 percent has been produced since 2000. What is carbon dioxide? CO₂ is a colorless, naturally occurring gas that is released after people and animals inhale oxygen. It is a greenhouse gas, meaning it absorbs and releases thermal radiation which in turn creates the “greenhouse effect”. In addition to other greenhouse gases, CO₂ is also a major contributor to the ability of the Earth to maintain a habitable temperature. Without CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to live on. However, while CO₂ alone is not a harmful gas, the abundance of it is what causes climate change. The increased use of electricity, transportation, and deforestation in human society have resulted in the increased emissions of CO₂, which in turn has seen a rise in earth’s temperature. In fact, around 70 percent of global warming since 1851 is attributable to CO₂ emissions from human activities. Who are the largest emitters worldwide? China is the biggest carbon polluter worldwide, having released almost 12 GtCO₂ in 2023. This was more than the combined emissions of the United States and India, the second and third-largest emitters that year, respectively.

Historical dataset showing U.S. fossil fuel consumption by year from 1960 to 2023.

Germany: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 53.83 percent, a decline from 54.68 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Germany from 1991 to 2023 is 62.73 percent. The minimum value, 48.68 percent, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 69.06 percent was recorded in 1991.

Historical dataset showing Belarus fossil fuel consumption by year from 1990 to 2022.

Fossil fuels account for ***** percent of total primary energy consumption worldwide. Although figures have been declining in recent years, owing to greater use of renewable sources, fossil fuels still make up the majority share of energy consumption.

As of 2017, fossil gas was the cheapest source of energy at ** U.S. dollars (USD) per megawatt hour (MWh). This price steadily increased, reaching ** USD/MWh as of 2023, making fossil gas the most expensive option for energy. While solar energy was priced at *** USD/MWh in 2017, the price is forecasted to reach ** USD/MWh in 2025, lowering again to ** USD/MWh by 2028.

Global demand of fossil fuels is forecast to reach between *** and *** exajoules in 2023. Assuming governments are to follow through on their climate pledges to reduce fallout from carbon emissions, fossil fuel use is set to peak in 2027. Since 1965, fossil fuel demand has increased more than***********, rising to a peak of *** exajoules in 2022. Assuming governments will do their part in keeping global heating under 1.5 degrees Celsius, worldwide supply of coal, oil, and natural gas would decrease to **** exajoules by 2050.

Paraguay: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 0 percent, unchanged from 0 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Paraguay from 1980 to 2023 is 0.64 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 2000 while the maximum of 6.43 percent was recorded in 1980.

Germany: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 38.29 percent, a decline from 41.26 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.36 percent, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for Germany from 2000 to 2023 is 54.55 percent. The minimum value, 38.29 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 71.9 percent was recorded in 2000.

Aruba: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 83.65 percent, unchanged from 83.65 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Aruba from 1986 to 2023 is 94.19 percent. The minimum value, 81.93 percent, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 100 percent was recorded in 1986.

Laos: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2011 is 0 percent, unchanged from 0 percent in 2010. In comparison, the world average is 65.76 percent, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for Laos from 1980 to 2011 is 4.35 percent. The minimum value, 0 percent, was reached in 2004 while the maximum of 10.1 percent was recorded in 2000.

Taiwan: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 85.14 percent, an increase from 84.67 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Taiwan from 1980 to 2023 is 71.65 percent. The minimum value, 36.43 percent, was reached in 1985 while the maximum of 88.12 percent was recorded in 2017.

Finland: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 6.45 percent, a decline from 12.25 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Finland from 1980 to 2023 is 36.41 percent. The minimum value, 6.45 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 57.45 percent was recorded in 2003.

Israel: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 89.64 percent, a decline from 92.34 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for Israel from 1980 to 2023 is 98.91 percent. The minimum value, 89.64 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 100 percent was recorded in 1980.

This scatter chart displays fossil fuel energy consumption (% of total) against access to electricity (% of population) in Europe. The data is about countries.

This scatter chart displays fossil fuel energy consumption (% of total) against electricity production from natural gas sources (% of total) in Central America. The data is about countries.

The Czechia: Fossil fuels electricity generation, percent: The latest value from 2023 is 48.27 percent, a decline from 51.84 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 58.62 percent, based on data from 185 countries. Historically, the average for the Czechia from 1993 to 2023 is 65.84 percent. The minimum value, 48.27 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 79.56 percent was recorded in 2000.

This scatter chart displays fossil fuel energy consumption (% of total) against electricity production from oil sources (% of total) in the Americas. The data is about regions.

Historical dataset showing World fossil fuel consumption by year from 1960 to 2015.