A new report on energy-related emissions says global carbon dioxide emissions rise in 2025 is largely linked to higher fossil-fuel use, with the United States contributing a substantial share. The Energy Institute report, produced in partnership with Ember, Kearney Institute and KPMG, estimates that emissions from the energy sector increase by 1.1% to 35,806 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. More than a third of that increase comes from the US.
The report points to a reversal in fuel switching in the US, where higher gas prices push power producers back toward coal. It says US coal consumption rises by 10% last year, reversing a previous move toward cleaner fuels. It also notes that North America’s emissions do not follow the broader 10-year pattern of decline, instead increasing.
Globally, energy supply rises 1.7% from 2024, with renewable power contributing most of the increase. Renewable electricity generation grows 9.1%, driven by a 30% surge in solar. Despite these gains, demand for electricity grows faster than supply, increasing 3% year-on-year, with growth associated with electric vehicles, data centres and artificial intelligence. The report also reports increases in emissions in Europe and China and notes oil consumption rises in 2025.
