August 7, 2025Open Access

Coal as the world's dominant energy source and its role in the energy transformation and regulations of European Green Deal

ASAneta SaletnikRzeszów University BSBogdan SaletnikRzeszów University CPCzesław PuchalskiRzeszów University

Key Points

MAIN FINDING: Coal contributes 35.51% of global electricity and leads to over 15 billion tons of CO2 emissions annually.
KEY EVIDENCE: Coal-fired plants are responsible for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, impacting health and air quality.
APPROACH: The study reviews international and EU initiatives aimed at reducing coal dependency and promoting energy transformation.
SIGNIFICANCE: The findings emphasize the necessity for alternative energy sources to mitigate climate change and health risks.

Abstract

One of the main factors driving faster rates of climate change is coal burning. Coal has been a staple in global energy production for hundreds of years. In 2023, coal accounted for 35.51 % of global electricity production (in US 16,2 % of electricity comes from coal. Coal power generation is a major cause of greenhouse gas and toxic emissions into the atmosphere, adversely affecting human health, ecosystem degradation, water resources and air quality. Coal consumption leads to more than 15 billion tons of global CO2 emissions annually. Coal-fired power plants account for about 20 % of these emissions. Moving away from coal as an energy fuel is an international priority in industrialized countries. Governments are seeking to reduce greenhouse gases and limit the development of coal mines, coal-fired power plants and related infrastructure. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached an agreement to combat climate change and accelerate and intensify the action and investment required for a sustainable low-carbon future. The European Union has decided to gradually reduce electricity generation from solid fossil fuels. A number of initiatives in the EU point to the need to develop good practices for the transformation of coal regions, an integral part of which is the proper development and reclamation of land degraded and devastated by the exploitation of energy resources. The authors aimed to introduce the audience to coal market trends its role in the energy industry and its impact on the environment and human health. The authors wanted to present the global and individual actions of governments to withdraw coal from the global energy market, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and stopping accelerating climate change. New solutions are needed for obtaining energy from non-fossil fuel sources, especially since these deposits in Europe are significantly limited and will be depleted.

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