Coal-fired electricity generation has emitted, on average, 769 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) every month since January 1, 2020. This is almost double the United Kingdom's total carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. In comparison, natural gas-fired electricity produced an average of 310 MtCO₂e per month during this period.
The lowest monthly emissions from coal, gas, and other fossil power generation over the past three years were recorded in April 2020 during peak COVID-19-related lockdowns.
Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Figures aim to include full lifecycle emissions including upstream methane, supply-chain and manufacturing emissions, and include all gases, converted into CO₂ equivalent over a 100 year timescale.
*Other fossil includes generation from oil and petroleum products, as well as manufactured gases and waste.
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Ember. (July 3, 2024). Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. "Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. July 3, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. (2024). Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. "Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation Emissions Worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by Month (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Jul 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember, Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2024, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], Ember, July 3, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
