The United States was responsible for around one-third of the increase in global carbon dioxide emissions in 2025, as rising natural gas prices prompted power producers to rely more heavily on coal, according to a report by the Energy Institute.
The report, produced in partnership with Ember, Kearney Institute and KPMG, found that US coal consumption increased by 10 per cent last year, reversing the country’s ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources and contributing to higher overall emissions.
Global carbon emissions from the energy sector rose by 1.1pc in 2025, reaching 35,806 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, with the US accounting for more than one-third of the increase.
North America also reversed a decade-long trend in which emissions had declined by an average of 0.7pc, even as worldwide demand for energy continued to grow.
Overall global energy supply increased by 1.7pc compared to 2024, with renewable energy making the largest contribution to that growth. Renewable electricity generation rose 9.1pc, driven largely by a 30pc increase in solar power.
The report said Europe’s energy-related carbon emissions rose by 0.5pc during 2025, while China recorded a 0.7pc increase.
Electricity demand outpaced supply, growing 3pc year-on-year due to rising consumption from electric vehicles, data centres and artificial intelligence technologies.
Global oil demand climbed 1.3pc in 2025 to 103 million barrels per day, compared with a 1.1pc increase the previous year. Oil production, meanwhile, expanded by 3.5pc.
In China, consumption of gasoline and diesel continued to decline, extending a downward trend that began in 2024.
The report also found that growth in natural gas demand was concentrated in Europe, the Middle East and North America, with Europe and India importing nearly half of the gas they consumed.
