US leads global CO2 emissions rise in 2025 as coal use jumps 10 percent, report finds

A new report from the Energy Institute shows global energy-related CO2 emissions rose 1.1 percent in 2025, reaching 35,806 million metric tonnes. The United States accounted for roughly one third of that increase, driven by a 10 percent jump in coal consumption as higher gas prices pushed power plants back to coal. The rise in North America broke a 10 year trend of falling emissions in the region. Renewable power generation grew 9.1 percent globally, led by a 30 percent surge in solar. However, electricity demand rose faster at 3 percent year on year, driven by electric vehicles, data centers, and AI. Oil consumption hit 103 million barrels per day, up 1.3 percent. The report highlights the tension between clean energy additions and rising demand that keeps fossil fuels in the mix.