Fossil fuel use, emissions hit records in 2023: report

The Statistical Review of World Energy report reveals that global fossil fuel consumption and energy emissions reached unprecedented levels in 2023, despite a slight decrease in fossil fuels’ share of the global energy mix. This trend raises concerns about the transition to lower carbon energy as global temperatures approach the critical 1.5°C threshold, beyond which climate impacts are expected to intensify significantly.

1. Global primary energy consumption hit a record 620 Exajoules (EJ), with CO2 emissions surpassing 40 gigatonnes for the first time.

2. Fossil fuels continued to dominate, accounting for 81.5 per cent of the energy mix, though this represents a 0.5% decrease from 2022.

3. Oil consumption exceeded 100 million barrels per day for the first time, following a 2 per cent year-on-year increase.

4. Renewable energy generation (excluding hydropower) grew by 13 per cent to a new high of 4,748 terawatt-hours (TWh), with renewables accounting for 15 per cent of the global mix when including hydropower.

5. China led in renewable energy additions, accounting for 55 per cent of global growth and 63 per cent of new wind and solar capacity. However, China’s fossil fuel use also rose by 6 per cent to a new high.

6. Coal consumption reached a new peak of 164 EJ, up 1.6 per cent from the previous year, driven by increases in China and India. Notably, India’s coal consumption exceeded that of Europe and North America combined.

7. Natural gas production and consumption remained relatively stable globally, with the U.S. becoming the leading global LNG supplier after a 10 per cent rise in production.

8. Europe saw a decrease in fossil fuel use, with its share falling below 70 per cent for the first time since the industrial revolution. European gas demand dropped by 7 per cent in 2023.

The report highlights regional disparities in energy trends. Advanced economies show signs of peaking fossil fuel demand, while developing nations continue to rely on fossil fuels for economic growth and improved quality of life. This underscores the complex challenge of balancing global energy needs with climate goals.

Despite the growth in renewables, the overall increase in energy demand has kept fossil fuels’ share relatively stable. This presents a significant challenge for efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. The report notes that since 2000, emissions from energy have increased by 50 pe cent, emphasising the urgency of the situation.

The data presented in this report serves as a crucial resource for governments, world leaders, and analysts to understand the current state of global energy consumption and emissions, helping to inform future policy decisions and strategies for energy transition.