Overview

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts global coal consumption to surpass 8.9 billion tonnes in 2024, marking the third consecutive annual record.
• China remains the largest coal consumer, burning 4.9 billion tonnes in 2024, accounting for over a third of global usage, despite significant investments in renewable energy.
• Emerging economies like India and Indonesia are driving increased coal demand, offsetting declines in the U.S. and European Union, where reductions have slowed significantly.
• The IEA now predicts coal demand will peak in 2027, revising earlier estimates that projected a decline starting in 2023, as electricity needs continue to grow globally.
• Scientists warn that the record coal use exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, threatening climate goals as 2024 is projected to be the hottest year in recorded history.