Global coal use at record high

Despite warnings about rising greenhouse gas emissions, that saw 2024 the hottest year on record, consumption of coal has continued to increase since the turn of the century

GLOBAL COAL CONSUMPTION, 2000-2027 (millions of tonnes)

Rest of world
European Union
United States
ASEAN*
India
China
Forecast

2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025

10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0

2024: 8.77 billion tonnes burned

International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts coal
use will plateau in 2027 – dependent upon China,
which since 2000 has consumed 30% more coal
than rest of world combined

*Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Sources: Euractiv, Coal 2024 – Analysis and forecast to 2027 report (IEA)

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