Fossil Fuels Still Dominate Global Energy, with Global North Leading the Production

The 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy (SRWE) reveals a record high in primary energy consumption, highlighting the persistent dominance of fossil fuels and the contrasting energy trends between the Global North and Global South.

Trends and Data on Energy Consumption:

• Record Primary Energy Consumption: The world saw a 2% increase in primary energy consumption in 2023 compared to 2022. Despite the growth in renewable energy, fossil fuels still constitute 81.5% of the global energy mix.
• Regional Disparities: The Global South, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, accounted for 56% of total energy consumption in 2023, with significant contributions from China, India, and Indonesia. In contrast, energy demand in Africa fell by 0.4%.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Global emissions rose by 2.1%, crossing 40 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents. The Global North continues to have higher per capita emissions, with North America averaging 11.5 tonnes of CO2 per person compared to 2 tonnes in the Global South.

Fossil Fuel Production and Consumption:

• Oil Production and Consumption: Oil consumption reached a record 100 million barrels per day, driven mainly by China. The United States remains the largest oil producer, with an 8.5% increase in production, while Russia's production fell by 1%.
• Natural Gas and Coal: The US set a new record in natural gas production, surpassing Qatar as the largest exporter of LNG. Coal production reached record levels, with 80% of output from the Asia-Pacific region, led by China and India.
• Impact of Sanctions: Russia’s oil production decline is attributed to international sanctions following the conflict with Ukraine.

Renewable Energy Trends:

• Growth in Renewables: Renewable energy accounted for 14.6% of total primary energy consumption in 2023. Renewables generated 30% of the world's power, with significant contributions from solar and wind.
• Regional Contributions: The Southern and Central American region had 72% of its power generation from renewables, despite significant growth in oil production.
• Record Installations: Record levels of renewable capacity installation, especially in China and Europe, reached 67%.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

• Energy Demand in Developing Regions: Despite low current energy demand, the population growth in Africa and South Asia positions these regions for increased future demand.
• Fossil Fuel Transition: The Global North, as historical polluters, must lead the transition away from fossil fuels. However, the transition remains slow in these regions.
• Policy Implications: The SRWE underscores the need for robust policies to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, particularly in developing regions heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q. Discuss the implications of the persistent dominance of fossil fuels in the global energy mix on efforts to combat climate change. Highlight the role of developed and developing countries in this context.