Coal-fired electricity generation has emitted, on average, 776 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) every month since January 1, 2020. This is more than double the United Kingdom's total carbon dioxide emissions in 2023. In comparison, natural gas-fired electricity produced an average of 314 MtCO₂e per month during this period.
The lowest monthly emissions from coal, gas, and other fossil power generation over the past three years were recorded in April 2020 during peak COVID-19-related lockdowns.
The source does not provide publication date. The release date has been set as the date of website access.
Figures aim to include full lifecycle emissions including upstream methane, supply-chain and manufacturing emissions, and include all gases, converted into CO₂ equivalent over a 100 year timescale.
*Other fossil includes generation from oil and petroleum products, as well as manufactured gases and waste.
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Ember. (May 12, 2025). Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. "Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. May 12, 2025. Statista. Accessed June 12, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. (2025). Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 12, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember. "Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation Emissions Worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by Month (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 May 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/
Ember, Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/ (last visited June 12, 2025)
Fossil fuel electricity generation emissions worldwide from 2020 to 2025, by month (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], Ember, May 12, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393501/global-power-sector-emissions-by-fuel-and-month/