2024 Statistical Review of World Energy

Global primary energy consumption overall was at a record absolute high, up 2% on the previous year to 620 Exajoules (EJ).

• Emissions and Fossil Fuel Use: Despite a year of extraordinary growth in renewables, fossil fuel consumption and emissions reached new peaks.

• Renewable Energy Surge: Competitive wind and solar power drove record renewable energy generation.

• Advanced Economies: 
  • Peak Fossil Fuel Demand? Europe saw fossil fuel usage drop below 70% for the first time since the industrial revolution. The US saw a slight decline in fossil fuel consumption to just over 80% of its primary energy.

• Growth Economies:
  •  Rising Carbon Intensity: Fossil fuel use is accelerating in India and many African nations, outpacing the growth of renewables. 
  • India's Coal Consumption: For the first time, India's coal use surpassed that of North America and Europe combined.

• China's Energy Transition: 
  • Decreasing Fossil Fuel Proportion: The share of fossil fuels in China's primary energy mix has been decreasing since 2011, though absolute consumption remains high. 
  • Renewable Energy Growth: Global primary energy consumption overall was at a record absolute high, up 2% on the previous year to 620 Exajoules (EJ). 

• Copper and Battery Minerals:
  • Steady Growth: Copper production has grown at just under 2% annually over the past decade.
  • Battery Technology Minerals: Minerals essential for batteries, like lithium and graphite, continue to see robust growth.
• China's Dominance:
  • Leading Producer and Consumer: China leads in the production and consumption of refined cobalt, vital for lithium-ion batteries, and supplies significant portions of the world's lithium and graphite.