tass.com
Global Coal Demand Hits Record High in 2024
Global coal demand hit a record 8.77 billion tons in 2024, driven by power sector growth in China (4.9 billion tons) and India (1.3 billion tons), while the EU and US saw slower declines; production also hit a record high exceeding 9 billion tons.
- How do the differing trends in coal consumption between China, India, and the US/EU reflect broader economic and energy policy priorities?
- Despite growth in renewable energy sources like solar and wind in China, rapidly increasing electricity demand, fueled by industrial electrification and emerging technologies, continues to drive coal consumption. India's coal demand also surged, highlighting the persistent reliance on coal in major developing economies.
- What were the primary factors contributing to the record-high global coal demand in 2024, and what are the immediate implications for energy markets and climate change?
- Global coal demand reached a record high of 8.77 billion tons in 2024, driven primarily by increased power sector consumption. China and India were the largest consumers, with demand growing by 1% and over 5%, respectively.
- What are the long-term implications of the plateauing coal demand and the slow adoption of carbon capture technologies for global greenhouse gas emissions and climate targets?
- While coal demand is projected to plateau around 8.87 billion tons by 2027, a lack of progress in carbon capture technologies means CO2 emissions from coal are not expected to decline in the near future. This underscores the significant challenge in mitigating climate change despite efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the record-high global coal demand and production, potentially overshadowing the decreasing demand in some regions. While the decrease in the EU and US is mentioned, it receives less attention than the overall increase. The headline could also be framed to highlight the stagnation of the decline rather than record highs, altering the narrative's emphasis. The structure presents the increase in coal consumption prominently, which may disproportionately influence the reader's understanding of the overall situation.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses heavily on China and India's coal consumption, but lacks detailed analysis of other significant coal-consuming nations and regions. While mentioning the EU and US decline in coal consumption, the analysis lacks depth regarding the reasons behind this decrease and the implications for global energy markets. The omission of information on the environmental policies and actions taken by various countries to mitigate coal's impact, beyond a brief mention of CCUS, is a significant gap.
Sustainable Development Goals
The report highlights a new all-time high in global coal demand in 2024, driven mainly by China and India's energy sectors. This surge in coal consumption directly contradicts efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The projected plateau in coal demand until 2027, without significant carbon capture advancements, further indicates a continued negative impact on climate change mitigation efforts.