Strong rise in coal consumption in Europe.
In 2021, the world’s coal consumption rose by 5.7%, surpassing its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1% thanks to rebound in global demand.
Coal consumption expanded strongly in Western countries, due to the economic upturn and high gas prices, with +13.8% in North America (United States: +14.5%) and +11.9% in Europe, including +17.9% in Germany, +9.9% in Turkey. Growth in coal consumption was slower in Asia (+4.7%), with +6.6% in India, +5% in Japan and +4.6% in China. It stagnated in Indonesia (+0.9%) and South Korea (+0.2%). Most of the world’s coal and lignite consumption in 2021 took place in China (52%), followed by India (13%), the United States (6%) and the European Union (6%).
An in-depth analysis of the past year’s key figures, with projections related to the current context (post-pandemic rebound and the energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine).
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