Global Coal Consumption Reaches All-Time High Despite Renewable Energy Boom

Record Coal Use Threatens Climate Goals

Global coal consumption reached a record high in 2024 despite significant growth in renewable energy sources, according to the annual State of Climate Action report published Wednesday. The findings indicate that countries are falling dangerously behind their emissions reduction targets, threatening international efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Record Coal Use Threatens Climate Goals
Renewable Growth Outpaced by Electricity Demand
Political Headwinds Challenge Clean Energy Transition
Critical Sectors Lagging Behind Targets
Deforestation and Natural Carbon Sinks Under Threat
Path Forward Requires Accelerated Action

Renewable Growth Outpaced by Electricity Demand

While renewable energy sources have experienced “exponential” growth, with solar power described as “the fastest-growing power source in history,” analysts suggest this progress has been insufficient to offset rising global electricity demand. The report states that coal’s share in electricity generation actually decreased as renewables expanded, but overall power consumption growth drove increased coal use worldwide.

Clea Schumer, a research associate at the World Resources Institute thinktank that led the report, emphasized the concerning trend: “There’s no doubt that we are largely doing the right things. We are just not moving fast enough. One of the most concerning findings from our assessment is that for the fifth report in our series in a row, efforts to phase out coal are well off track.”

Political Headwinds Challenge Clean Energy Transition

The report highlights conflicting political approaches to energy policy worldwide. Sources indicate that while most governments committed to “phasing down” coal use in 2021, some nations are accelerating coal production. India’s prime minister reportedly celebrated surpassing 1 billion tonnes of coal production this year, while former US President Donald Trump has declared support for coal and other fossil fuels.

According to the analysis, Trump’s efforts to halt renewable energy projects and remove funding for low-carbon power sources haven’t yet resulted in measurable emissions increases, but the report suggests these policies could impact future emissions trajectories. However, continued renewable energy adoption in China and the European Union may help mitigate these effects.

Critical Sectors Lagging Behind Targets

The assessment reveals multiple sectors are moving too slowly to meet climate goals. Energy efficiency improvements, particularly in building heating systems, are progressing inadequately. Industrial emissions also remain problematic, with the steel sector reportedly increasing its “carbon intensity” despite some countries adopting low-carbon manufacturing methods.

Sophie Boehm, a senior research associate at WRI’s systems change lab and lead report author, noted: “There’s no question that the United States’ recent attacks on clean energy make it more challenging for the world to keep the Paris agreement goal within reach. But the broader transition is much bigger than any one country, and momentum is building across markets and emerging economies, where clean energy has become the cheapest, most reliable path to economic growth and energy security.”

Deforestation and Natural Carbon Sinks Under Threat

The report sounds a stark warning about the world’s natural carbon storage systems. Despite repeated international pledges to protect forests, sources indicate more than 8 million hectares (20 million acres) of forest were permanently lost in 2024. While this represents improvement from the nearly 11 million hectares lost in 2017, it exceeds the 7.8 million hectares lost in 2021.

Analysts suggest the world needs to move nine times faster to halt deforestation than current government efforts are achieving. The continued degradation of these critical carbon sinks—including forests, peatlands, wetlands, and oceans—further complicates climate mitigation efforts.

Path Forward Requires Accelerated Action

The report concludes that solar and wind power growth rates must double by 2030 to achieve necessary emissions reductions. Meanwhile, world leaders are preparing for next month’s Cop30 UN climate summit in Brazil, where they will discuss how to realign global efforts with Paris Agreement targets.

Each government is expected to submit detailed national emissions reduction plans, known as “nationally determined contributions.” However, the report indicates these plans will likely prove inadequate, raising critical questions about how countries will respond to the growing gap between climate commitments and actual progress.

“The message on this is crystal clear,” Schumer stated. “We simply will not limit warming to 1.5C if coal use keeps breaking records.”