Global coal demand increased in 2022 as countries looked for affordable, secure energy supply after Russian oil and gas exports were curtailed due to its Ukraine invasion.
Yet despite coal’s resurgence, global emissions remained relatively flat as a slowing global economy dampened energy use.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates global coal use climbed 1.2 per cent in 2022, surpassing eight billion tonnes for the first time, and eclipsing the previous 2013 record.
China accounts for more than half of all coal demand.
