World Coal Use to Hit Record High in 2024 Amid Rising Temperatures

Global coal use is on track to reach an all-time high in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), marking the third consecutive year of rising demand. This surge comes as 2024 is set to become the hottest year on record, reinforcing the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.

Despite global calls to curb coal consumption, China remains the largest driver, with its coal demand expected to hit 4.9 billion tonnes — a record in itself. Meanwhile, emerging economies like India and Indonesia are also contributing to rising global coal use, while demand in advanced economies like the EU and US is slowly declining.

The IEA now predicts global coal consumption will peak in 2027, but this hinges largely on China’s continued reliance on coal for power generation, especially with the growing demand from energy-intensive data centers and AI technologies.

In addition to rising consumption, global coal production has also hit new records, surpassing nine billion tonnes for the first time. This growth contrasts with the ambitious climate pledges made at last year’s COP28 summit, which experts warn are in jeopardy if stronger commitments are not made at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

As nations continue to grapple with climate action, the coal industry’s expansion remains a critical challenge in the fight against global warming.