One might expect fossil fuel consumption to be on the decline. You know, since the world increasingly concerned with climate change. Think again.
The latest data from the Energy Institute’s 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy paints a startling picture of our global addiction to fossil fuels, with some countries gorging themselves more than others.
The Fossil Fuel Feast of 2023
Despite the rapid growth of renewable energy, fossil fuels still dominated the global energy mix in 2023, accounting for a whopping 81.5% of consumption.
That’s only a slight dip from 82% in 2022, showing just how entrenched our reliance on these carbon-heavy energy sources remains.
And who are the fossil fuel guzzlers?
The undisputed gluttons at the top of the list are China and the US. These two world leaders devoured nearly half (47%) of the world’s fossil fuels.
It’s like China the US are at an all-you-can-eat fossil fuel buffet, and the rest of the world is picking up the leftovers.
China
China burns through 140 exajoules.
That’s the equivalent of about 5.8 billion tonnes of hard coal, or 24.36 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
United States
Meanwhile in the United States, Uncle Sam gulped down 76 exajoule during the statistical review period.
That means the US consumes approximately 13.224 billion barrels of oil equivalent in fossil fuels.
India
Third on the list is India, consuming 35 exajoules, which equates to around 6.09 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
This staggering figure highlights India’s rapidly growing energy demands as it continues to expand its industrial base and urban infrastructure.
Russia
Following closely is Russia, with 27 exajoules of fossil fuel consumption.
This translates to about 4.698 billion barrels of oil equivalent, reflecting Russia’s status as both a major energy producer and consumer, driven by its energy-intensive industries and vast geographic needs.
Japan
Japan rounds out the top five, consuming 15 exajoules, equivalent to approximately 2.61 billion barrels of oil.
Despite its advanced energy efficiency measures and heavy investment in alternative energy sources, Japan’s reliance on fossil fuels remains substantial.
This is particularly true in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, which led to a greater dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The remaining countries on the top 10 list include:
- Iran: 12 exajoules
- Saudi Arabia: 12 exajoules
- South Korea: 10 exajoules
- Canada: 9 exajoules
- Indonesia: 9 exajoules
Breaking records (and not in a good way)
2023 saw some alarming milestones in global energy use.
For the first time, global oil consumption surpassed 100 million barrels per day, a record that underscores the relentless demand for fossil fuels.
Coal demand also reached new heights, breaking the previous year’s record. China led the charge (but of course), setting a new personal best (worse) by accounting for a staggering 56% of global coal consumption.
Meanwhile, India’s coal appetite grew so significantly that, for the first time, it surpassed the combined total of Europe and North America.
Infographic from Visual Capitalist.
The road ahead
These records highlight the urgent need for a global shift toward more sustainable energy sources to mitigate the environmental impact of such consumption.
While these figures might seem disheartening, they also highlight the urgent need for action.
As renewable energy continues to grow, the challenge lies in accelerating its adoption to displace fossil fuels, particularly in energy-hungry nations like China and the US.
