Key facts
- US coal power generation increased by 10% in 2025.
- Global energy sector carbon emissions grew by 1.1% to 35,806 million metric tons.
- The US contributed approximately 30% of the global increase in energy sector emissions.
- Global electricity demand grew 3% year-on-year, fueled by EVs, data centers, and AI.
- Global oil consumption rose 1.3% to 103 million barrels per day, with production up 3.5%.
The United States was the primary driver of the increase in global carbon emissions in 2025, accounting for approximately one-third of the rise. This surge was largely attributed to higher natural gas prices, which prompted power producers to increase their reliance on coal, leading to a 10% jump in U.S. coal consumption. Globally, energy sector carbon emissions grew by 1.1% to 35,806 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, a trend that contrasted with a decade-long pattern of declining emissions in North America. Despite the rise in emissions, global energy demand continued to grow by 1.7%, with renewable energy sources, particularly solar power which saw a 30% increase, contributing the largest share of this growth. Europe's emissions from the energy sector increased by 0.5%, and China's by 0.7%. Global electricity demand outpaced supply growth, rising 3% year-on-year, fueled by electric vehicles, data centers, and artificial intelligence. Oil consumption also increased by 1.3% to 103 million barrels per day, while production saw a 3.5% rise.