Global demand for coal grew by 1.4% in 2023 and exceeded 8.5 billion tons for the first time, surpassing the previous record.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) published such data in its report.
Despite the fact that the EU countries demonstrate high rates of transition to renewable energy, other countries continue to use fossil fuels in significant volumes. For example, the top five countries that cover about 50% or more of their energy needs with coal are home to more than 3.4 billion people.
"The fact is that for a very large part of the world's population, coal is the main type of fuel that meets the majority of energy needs," explains Alessandro Blasi, special advisor to the executive director of the IEA.
Among the top 20 countries in terms of coal consumption, only 1 country from the G7 is in the top 10, and 4 countries from the "big seven" close this list.
Alessandro Blasi expressed hope that the intention of the G7 countries to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2035 could help to reverse the trend of increasing demand for coal, which appears to be remarkably stable.
As EcoPolitic reported at the end of April, G7 countries plan to abandon coal by the early 2030s.
EcoPolitic also reported that in 2023 RES produced a record 30% of the world's electricity.
