The United States accounted for around one-third of the increase in global carbon emissions in 2025 after higher natural gas prices prompted electricity producers to switch back to coal, according to the latest Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy.
The report, prepared in partnership with Ember, Kearney and KPMG, found that US coal consumption climbed 10% during the year, reversing the country’s recent shift toward cleaner energy sources and contributing significantly to the rise in global emissions.
Worldwide, carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector increased by 1.1% to 35,806 million metric tons in 2025. The report noted that more than one-third of the overall increase came from the United States, while North America reversed a decade-long trend in which regional emissions had declined by an average of 0.7% annually.
Despite the rise in emissions, renewable energy continued to expand rapidly. Global energy supply grew by 1.7% compared with 2024, with renewable sources providing the largest share of the increase. Renewable electricity generation rose 9.1%, supported by a 30% surge in solar power output.
Electricity demand also accelerated, increasing 3% year-on-year and outpacing growth in supply. The report attributed the higher demand to the expanding adoption of electric vehicles, the rapid growth of data centres and rising electricity consumption linked to artificial intelligence.
Elsewhere, Europe’s energy-related carbon emissions increased by 0.5% in 2025, while China’s emissions rose 0.7%. However, China continued to record lower gasoline and diesel consumption, extending a downward trend that began in 2024.
Global oil demand reached 103 million barrels per day in 2025, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Oil production expanded at a faster pace, rising 3.5% over the same period.
The report also highlighted strong growth in natural gas demand across Europe, the Middle East and North America. Europe and India relied on imports for nearly half of their gas supplies, underscoring the continued importance of international energy markets despite the ongoing transition toward cleaner sources.
