welcome
CNBC

CNBC

Science

Science

The world isn't close to breaking free from coal — in some countries, demand for it is surging

CNBC
Summary
Nutrition label

88% Informative

U.S. exports of coal have been rising steadily to satisfy growing global demand for the world's dirtiest fossil fuel.

The world's coal capacity reached a new record high of nearly 2,175 gigawatts in 2024 , data from Global Energy Monitor showed.

China is the largest coal consumer globally, accounting for more than 56% of global demand in 2023 .

By 2030 , electricity demand from data centers could exceed 35 GW , more than double the 17 GW recorded in 2022 .

AI data centers are huge power users, making it harder to retire a reliable and affordable energy source such as coal.

Governments agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord to limit global heating to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

VR Score

90

Informative language

90

Neutral language

63

Article tone

formal

Language

English

Language complexity

61

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

Affiliate links

no affiliate links