Despite the repeated warnings from climate change activists and scientists, global usage of fossil fuels remains high. Within a few weeks world leaders will meet to discuss solutions to the climate crisis at the United Nations Climate Change Conference – but which countries are the word offenders when it comes to fossil fuel consumption.
Around the world, millions have protested against their Government’s lack of action to combat climate change.
Even the Queen, who tends to remain neutral on political issues, has become frustrated by politicians inaction on climate change.
The Queen was overheard venting her frustrations just weeks before world leaders will descend on Glasgow for the Cop26 UN climate change conference.
In an unguarded moment at the opening of the Welsh parliament her Majesty was heard saying: “Extraordinary isn’t it… I’ve been hearing all about Cop… still don’t know who is coming… no idea.”
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High fossil fuel consumption is the main driver behind climate change – here are the countries that consume the highest amounts of fossil fuels.
China is often blasted for its high energy consumption, according to Our World in Data in 2019 it consumed a staggering 33,512 terawatt-hours (Twh).
This makes it the highest consumer of fossil fuels in the world.
But this statistic is somewhat misleading, those living in the US, Australia, Germany, UK and South Africa all consume more energy from coal, oil and gas per person (per capita), than those living in China.
The US tops the leader board as the highest fossil fuel consumers per capita, as Americans in 2019 consumed a whopping 66,525 kWh per person.
China is the sixth-highest consumer of fossil fuels per capita – its population on average only consumed 23,373 kWh per person.
This is far less than the UK as Brits consumed 25,528 kWh in 2019 making it the fourth highest consumer per capita.
Here are the highest consumers of fossil fuels per capita ranked (as of 2019):
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Despite these alarming statistics, there is room for change – the actions world leaders choose to take next will determine the future for many.
Net-zero or carbon neutrality, means achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.
So far the UK, US, EU Denmark, France, New Zealand and Hungary have committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, with Sweden pledging to achieve this by 2045.
China, which is currently the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide), has committed to be carbon neutral by 2060.
Many will be following the decisions made at the Cop26 conference eagerly, to see if politicians are really committed to tackling climate change or – in the words of Greta Thunberg, it’s all just “Blah Blah Blah.”