Global coal consumption will set a new record in 2024

The International Energy Agency has reported that global coal use will reach a historic high in 2024. This year is likely to be the “hottest” in history. This was reported by UNN with reference to Euractive. 

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Despite calls to stop burning coal, which causes climate change, the energy watchdog expects global demand to hit a record high for the third year in a row.

Scientists warn that greenhouse gas emissions, which are heating the planet, will have to be drastically reduced to limit global warming and avoid catastrophic consequences for the Earth and humanity.

The European Union’s climate monitoring agency Copernicus has already stated that 2024 will “virtually certainly” be the hottest year on record. 

According to the IEA’s Coal 2024 report, the world will reach peak coal production in 2027 after exceeding 8.77 billion tons this year.

But this will depend on China, which has consumed 30% more coal over the past quarter century than the rest of the world combined.

Growing demand for electricity in China was the most significant driver of growth, as more than a third of the coal burned globally is carbonized in the country’s power plants.

Despite China’s attempts to diversify its electricity sources, including a significant expansion of solar and wind power, the IEA said that Chinese coal demand will still reach 4.9 billion tons in 2024, another record.

In the European Union and the United States, coal consumption will decrease by 12 and 5 percent, respectively, compared to 23 and 17 percent in 2023.

According to the IEA, coal production also reached an unprecedented level, exceeding 9 billion tons for the first time, with leading coal producers China, India and Indonesia posting new production records.

At the annual UN climate change forum in Dubai last year, countries pledged to abandon fossil fuels.

Recall

The average temperature in 2024 will exceed the pre-industrial level by more than 1.5°C for the first time. Economic losses from extreme weather will increase by 6% and reach $320 billion.