In a surprising turn of events, 2023 has been marked as the hottest year ever recorded, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels.
Paradoxically, this scorching year has also witnessed the highest global coal consumption, reaching a staggering 8.53 billion tons, as reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on December 15.
Asia, particularly China, has been the epicenter of this surge in demand for coal. The IEA reveals that China’s coal consumption spiked by 4.9%, adding 220 million tons compared to 2022.
India followed suit with an 8% increase of 98 million tons, and Indonesia showed an 11% rise, accounting for an additional 23 million tons. These alarming figures underscore the region’s insatiable appetite for fossil fuels, primarily driven by industrial growth.
However, the report paints a divergent picture for Europe and the United States, where coal consumption has sharply declined. Europe experienced a 23% decrease, amounting to a reduction of 107 million tons, attributed to the ongoing transition of power plants away from coal and a slump in industrial activity. The United States mirrored this trend with a 21% drop, shedding 95 million tons.
Looking ahead, the IEA anticipates a shift in the global trajectory of coal consumption starting from 2024.
This projection aligns with the recent conclusion of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) organized by the United Nations in Dubai. The COP called for a gradual abandonment of fossil fuels, including coal, to combat climate change.
The IEA relies on a significant increase in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to drive global coal consumption downward. Despite a peak in coal usage projected for 2023, the IEA expects a decrease in the following years. China, responsible for over half of the world’s coal consumption (54%), remains a pivotal player.
The IEA anticipates a potential turning point in 2023, projecting a decrease of 175 million tons in coal consumption for electricity generation from 2024 to 2026. Consequently, India is expected to become a significant driver of global coal demand until 2026.
As the world grapples with the paradox of escalating coal consumption amid climate goals, the urgency to transition towards sustainable energy sources becomes more apparent than ever.
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