Global emissions from coal-fired electricity generation increased 1.7 percent in 2023, to a record high of 9.45 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). Coal-fired electricity accounted for more than 66 percent of total global power sector emissions that year. Coal is by far the largest source of electricity generation worldwide, but it is also the most polluting fossil fuel, emitting twice as much carbon as natural gas when burned.
Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)
Figures aim to include full lifecycle emissions including upstream methane, supply-chain and manufacturing emissions, and include all gases, converted into CO₂ equivalent over a 100 year timescale.
*Other fossil includes generation from oil and petroleum products, as well as manufactured gases and waste.**Other Renewables generation includes geothermal, tidal and wave generation.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ember. (July 3, 2024). Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/
Ember. "Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. July 3, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/
Ember. (2024). Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/
Ember. "Power Sector Emissions Worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by Source (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Jul 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/
Ember, Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Power sector emissions worldwide from 2000 to 2023, by source (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph], Ember, July 3, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332010/power-sector-emissions-worldwide-by-source/