Global Energy and Emissions Reach Record Highs in 2024

The 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy, published by The Energy Institute, adopts a new methodology by shifting from 'Primary Energy Consumption' to 'Total Energy Supply', providing a clearer view of global energy trends. In 2024, global energy demand, production, and consumption from all major sources reached record highs, with fossil fuel use rising alongside a 16% increase in wind and solar energy. Global CO2 emissions hit a record 40.8 gigatonnes for the fourth consecutive year, despite rapid renewable growth. The report highlights that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. These developments underscore the ongoing difficulty in reducing fossil fuel dependence and suggest the goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030 is unlikely to be met. Regional events, such as record energy consumption during heat waves in the Carolinas, illustrate the strain on energy systems and emissions targets.