Fossil fuel use reaches global record despite clean energy growth

Report finds developing countries are increasing reliance on coal, gas and oil as overall demand for energy rises

The world’s consumption of fossil fuels climbed to a record high last year, driving emissions to more than 40 gigatonnes of CO₂ for the first time, according to a global energy report.

Despite a record rise in the use of renewable energy in 2023, consumption of fossil fuels continued to increase too, an annual review of world energy by the Energy Institute found.