Global coal demand hits record high despite climate pledges, U.S. production surges

• Despite climate pledges, coal consumption is projected to reach an all-time peak in 2025, surpassing the 2013 record, with an estimated 8.85 billion metric tons consumed this year alone.
• The U.S. is reversing a 15-year decline with an 8% surge in coal output, while Asia’s persistent energy demands and Europe’s slowed wind energy growth further bolster coal’s rebound.
• The IEA previously declared coal demand had peaked, yet consumption continues rising. The EU, once a climate leader, is delaying coal phase-outs due to energy shortages, exposing the gap between climate rhetoric and energy realities.
• Despite the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, UN projections show Earth heading toward 2.3 C warming by 2100, with some regions already experiencing spikes of 3–7 C—far exceeding the 1.5 C target.
• Renewables and nuclear are expanding, but coal remains a critical baseload power source, especially in China and India, proving that economic necessity and market forces still outweigh decarbonization efforts.

Despite years of climate pledges and aggressive decarbonization policies, global coal demand is set to reach an all-time high in 2025, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The resurgence is driven by rising production in the United States, slower retirements of coal-fired plants and persistent energy demand in Asia. The findings underscore the challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels, even as renewable energy capacity expands worldwide. As explained by BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, coal energy is a reliable, abundant source of power that provides nearly one-fourth of U.S. electricity. However, it is being demonized by climate alarmists pushing anti-human agendas.

The IEA’s latest projections reveal that global coal consumption will rise by 0.5% this year, hitting a record 8.85 billion metric tons—surpassing the previous peak set in 2013. Notably, U.S. coal output is expected to surge by 8% in 2025, reversing a 15-year trend of annual declines. Higher natural gas prices, federal policy support and sluggish wind energy output in Europe have contributed to coal’s rebound.

“Looking ahead, we observe that global coal demand plateaus and will start a very slow and gradual decline through the end of the decade,” said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA’s director of energy markets and security. However, analysts caution that previous predictions of coal’s demise have repeatedly fallen short. Just last year, the IEA declared that coal demand had likely peaked—only for consumption to climb again in 2024 and 2025.

Climate goals vs. energy realities

The report arrives as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. Yet, recent UN assessments suggest the planet is on track for 2.3 C of warming by 2100—even if nations meet their current climate pledges. Some regions, including the Arctic and parts of North America, have already experienced temperature spikes of 3–7 C above historical averages.

The persistence of coal highlights the tension between climate ambitions and energy security. While renewables and nuclear power continue to expand, coal remains a critical baseload energy source, particularly in fast-growing economies like China and India. The European Union, once a leader in climate policy, has also softened its stance, delaying coal phase-outs amid energy shortages.

The IEA’s findings reveal a sobering reality: despite global rhetoric on decarbonization, coal remains stubbornly entrenched in the world’s energy mix. While long-term projections suggest a gradual decline, near-term demand continues to climb—driven by economic necessity, policy shifts and market fluctuations.

As nations grapple with balancing emissions reductions and energy reliability, the path forward remains uncertain. For now, coal’s staying power serves as a reminder that the transition to a low-carbon future is far from straightforward.

Watch the video below that talks about America ending “war on coal” as Trump signs new EOs unleashing U.S. energy.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Mining.com

IEA.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com