A recent report by the Energy Institute on the global energy mix in 2024 paints a worrying picture of humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels. According to the report, total global energy consumption last year was approximately 592 exajoules (EJ), with each exajoule equivalent to 174 million barrels of oil.
Among energy sources, oil remains dominant with a 34% share (199 EJ). Coal follows with 28% (165 EJ) and natural gas with 25% (149 EJ), forming the other main pillars of global energy supply. Together, these three sources account for more than 86% of the world’s energy—in other words, the world still largely relies on resources that are the primary drivers of the climate crisis and environmental pollution.
In contrast, clean and non-fossil energy sources make up only 13.5% of global energy. Of this, hydropower (16 EJ) accounts for roughly 3%, nuclear energy (31 EJ) 5%, and other renewables such as solar and wind together supply 33 EJ, or 6% of the world’s energy. This is despite the fact that investments in renewable energy have more than doubled over the past decade.
However, despite technological advances and decarbonization policies, the reality is that the transition to clean energy still faces structural and economic challenges. Aging infrastructure, the vested interests of fossil fuel industries, and slow technology transfer in developing countries remain major obstacles to achieving the “Net Zero 2050” goals.
Experts argue that achieving a sustainable future requires pursuing three paths simultaneously: gradually reducing economic dependence on oil and coal, developing networks for storing and transmitting clean electricity, and expanding international cooperation in green technology. Without these steps, the world may remain bound to yesterday’s fuels well into the mid-21st century.
NOURNEWS