In a year when average air temperatures consistently breached the 1.5°C warming threshold, global CO₂-equivalent emissions from energy rose by 1%, marking yet another record, the fourth in as many years.

Wind and solar energy alone expanded by an impressive 16% in 2024, nine times faster than total energy demand. Yet this growth did not fully counterbalance rising demand elsewhere, with total fossil fuel use growing by just over 1%, highlighting a transition defined as much by disorder as by progress.

Crude oil demand in OECD countries remained flat, following a slight decline in the previous year. In contrast, non-OECD countries saw oil consumption rise by 1%, where much of the world’s energy demand growth is concentrated and fossil fuels continue to play a dominant role. Notably, Chinese crude oil demand fell in 2024 by 1.2%, indicating that 2023 may have reached a peak. Elsewhere, global natural gas demand rebounded, rising by 2.5% as gas markets rebalanced after a 2023 slump.

India’s demand for coal rose 4% in 2024 and now equals that of the CIS, Southern and Central America, North America, and Europe combined.

These trends underscore a stark truth: while renewable energy is scaling faster than ever, global demand is rising even faster. Rather than replacing fossil fuels, renewables are adding to the overall energy mix. This pattern, marked by simultaneous growth in clean and conventional energy, illustrates the structural, economic, and geopolitical barriers to achieving a truly coordinated global energy transition.

The EI Statistical Review of World Energy analyses data on world energy markets from the prior year. It has been providing timely, comprehensive and objective data to the energy community since 1952, originally from BP and, since 2023, under the custodianship of the EI and its co-authors KPMG and Kearney. Data compilation is undertaken by Heriot-Watt University and additional support is provided by knowledge partner S&P Global Commodities and, during the transition period, by BP.  

The 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy has changed the way primary energy consumption has been calculated by moving to an updated methodology: total energy supply. It also introduces new mineral data sets, including aluminium, bauxite, tin, vanadium and zinc, as well as additional commodity prices.

Europe

Despite global emissions reaching record highs, Europe saw continued progress in decarbonisation, with coal use in the EU hitting historic lows, renewable electricity setting new records, and emissions continuing to fall. While challenges remain, particularly with slowing wind deployment, Europe's energy data for 2024 points to a system in transition: increasingly low-carbon, more electrified, and less dependent on fossil fuel imports.

Key highlights:  

• Adjusting for COVID, emissions down for sixth straight year with carbon emissions falling by 44 MtCO₂e, marking the sixth consecutive annual decline.
• Europe accounted for 21% of global avoided fossil fuel use, demonstrating what transition at scale can achieve.
• Coal consumption fell by 7%, a historic low and for the first time, coal’s contribution to Europe’s total energy demand was less than that of nuclear energy.
• Power generation crosses 70% low-carbon threshold: In a major milestone, more than 70% of the EU’s electricity generation came from low-carbon sources.
• Wind and solar supplied 28% of EU electricity, with solar overtaking coal for the first time.
• Solar and wind generation met all new electricity demand in the EU in 2024.

Asia-Pacific

From world-leading renewable deployment to surging electricity demand, the region is both driving the clean energy transition and contributing the largest share of emissions.

Asia’s energy story in 2024 is one of scale, acceleration and contradiction. On one hand, Asia-Pacific is responsible for more avoided fossil fuel use than any other region, with China dominating global renewable energy growth. On the other, China and India together were responsible for three-quarters of the increase in global emissions.

Key highlights:

• Asia-Pacific contributed 43% of global avoided fossil fuel use, compared to 21% for Europe.
• China contributed 57% of new wind and solar generation – with solar almost doubling in just two years.
• China was responsible for around half the year-on-year global increase in electricity generation and has nearly doubled its generation over a decade.
• In ASEAN, renewables are growing faster than overall energy demand, signalling a shift toward energy systems powered by renewables.
• Despite progress, China remains the world’s largest emitter, responsible for 31% of global emissions in 2024.

Asia’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving. The region is leading the world in renewable energy growth, electrification, and avoided fossil fuel use, but is also grappling with soaring demand and persistent emissions.

China’s paradox is at the heart of the global energy challenge: it is both the largest driver of renewable energy expansion and the largest single source of emissions.

For ASEAN, the data shows real momentum, rapid energy growth matched by accelerating renewables. The region is poised to become a major force in the energy transition if this trend continues.

The global transition hinges on what happens next in Asia. As the region’s energy systems scale and modernise, the challenge will be to meet rising demand without locking in new emissions, and to build electricity systems that are not only large and low-carbon, but secure and resilient.

Middle East

The report underscores the Middle East's sustained dependence on oil and gas, both in terms of production and consumption. The region accounted for 31% (30,119 kbd) of global oil output and 18% (738 bn m³) of global natural gas production. At the same time, regional energy demand reached an all-time high of 41 EJ, representing around 7% of global energy demand, with oil and gas meeting 97% of this total.

Renewables (including hydro) accounted for around 5% of total electricity generation in the Middle East – a modest share, yet a record high for the region. This growth was primarily driven by a 23% increase in solar power generation, leveraging the region’s abundant solar resources.

Key findings:

• Energy demand reached a record high of 41 EJ, marking a 2% year-on-year increase.
• Energy-related CO₂ emissions in the region rose by 2.5%, climbing to 3,017mn tonnes – the highest level ever recorded.
• Electricity generation expanded by 5.3%, totalling 1,569 TWh, also setting a new record. 10% of this increase was met by renewables.
• Oil production declined slightly by 0.4% to 30,119 kbd, the lowest output since 2021 and below the 2016 peak of 31,709 kbd.
• Renewables (including hydro) contributed almost 5% of total electricity generation, with solar by far the largest renewable source, contributing to 63% of renewable generation in the Middle East.
• Solar power generation rose by 23% between 2023 and 2024, reflecting a sustained upward trend with an average annual growth rate of 43% over the past decade.

While oil and gas production in the Middle East is expected to remain relatively stable in the near term, the expansion of solar energy signals the potential onset of a broader transition toward renewable energy in the region, especially as many of the largest importers of Middle Eastern oil and gas look to accelerate their transition to renewables.

North America

 North America continues to play a pivotal role in global energy markets as the world’s top oil producer, a growing leader in energy storage, and a region making measurable progress on emissions reduction.

In 2024, the United States recorded its second consecutive year of emissions decline, even as it maintained its position as the world’s most prolific oil and gas producer.

Key highlights:

• US emissions fell by 36 MtCO₂e, 0.7% below its 2023 levels, but below its ten-year average decline rate of 1% per annum.
• US oil production reached a record level, breaching 20 Mbpd for the first time to virtually equal the combined outputs of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation.
• Canada remains the fourth-largest oil producer globally, securing its place over the past decade.
• The US now hosts 20% of the world’s installed battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity, underlining its growing role in supporting electricity grid flexibility and renewables integration.
• In coal production US recorded its lowest output for over 44 years.
• The US remained the largest exporter of LNG and with Qatar accounted for over 40% of all LNG exports.
• The US have also seen significant import avoidance thanks to renewables.

North America, led by the US, remains central to global energy security and market dynamics. For now, the region’s fossil fuel dominance shows no sign of retreat.

However, given declining reservoirs and an ongoing focus on capital discipline by US E&P companies, this may turn out to be a high watermark for US oil production. It is also investing in new infrastructure like battery storage and continuing to drive emissions downward, albeit gradually.

The US stands at a crossroads: able to shape both legacy energy markets and the emerging clean energy transition. The steady decline in emissions and growing storage capacity suggest the foundations are being laid for a more resilient, flexible, and lower-carbon energy future.

Africa

Africa is deepening its strategic role in the global energy system, not through emissions or energy demand, but through rapid growth in refining capacity and its pivotal position in critical mineral production.

Although renewable energy deployment on the continent continues to expand, growth in solar and wind remains slower than most other regions, highlighting the need for accelerated investment and infrastructure development to match Africa’s vast clean energy potential.

Key highlights:

• Africa’s refining capacity rose nearly 20%, driven by the launch of Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, one of the largest single-site refineries in the world.
• Renewable generation (excluding hydro) grew by 6.1%, the slowest regional growth rate. Solar generation increased 9.7%, while wind generation grew by 2%.
• Africa’s critical mineral production is booming, particularly in metals vital to the global energy transition.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the undisputed global leader in cobalt production, increasing its output by 44% in 2024 and now accounting for 74% of the world’s total.
• Production across all minerals in Africa increased on average by 4% in 2024, and the region now accounts for 27% of global mineral production.

In 2024 alone, cobalt and graphite production across Africa grew by 40% and 46%, respectively – underscoring the continent’s growing role in clean energy supply chains.

Africa’s energy and resource landscape in 2024 tells a story of strategic emergence. While renewable power deployment continues at a modest pace, the continent is becoming increasingly essential to the global energy transition through its minerals and refining capacity.

The rapid scale-up of critical mineral production positions Africa as a key player in clean energy supply chains, with global demand for cobalt, lithium, and graphite expected to rise sharply in coming years.

Meanwhile, the continent’s renewable generation – especially solar – shows promise but requires greater scale, financing, and policy support to deliver the energy access, economic growth, and climate resilience Africa needs.