Top Coal-Burning Countries: Global Trends and Environmental Impact
An in-depth look at the world's top coal consumers, how they shape global emissions, and the evolving future of coal power.
Coal has long been a dominant source of energy, fueling industrial growth and economic development worldwide. Yet, the reliance on coal varies drastically across nations, carrying significant implications for climate change, public health, and energy policy. This article examines the leading coal-burning countries, investigates current and emerging trends in coal consumption, and explores the environmental costs and policy responses shaping the future of this controversial fuel.
Why Coal Matters: A Global Perspective
Coal remains a critical fuel for electricity generation in many countries and is responsible for a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Its use drives not just industrial output but also soot, acid rain, and dramatic climate impacts. As renewable energy gains momentum, understanding where and why coal use persists is crucial to navigating the path toward a sustainable energy future.
Coal Consumption and Power Generation: The Global Landscape
Coal is still the world’s most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel. Its consumption is highly concentrated in certain countries. As of 2025, three countries—China, India, and the United States—account for the vast majority of global coal use, both in terms of coal-fired electricity and overall consumption.
| Country | Number of Coal Power Plants (2025) | Coal Power Capacity (GW) | Annual CO2 Emissions from Coal (2021, billion tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1,195 | ~1,100 | 7.96 |
| India | 290 | ~240 | ~1.08 |
| United States | 195 | ~233 | ~0.88 |
| Other Countries (combined) | – | – | – |
Note: Emissions data are approximate and reflect 2021 figures for context. Plant and capacity numbers as of July 2025.
1. China: The World’s Largest Coal Consumer
China’s dominance in coal consumption stands unrivaled, with over 1,100 GW of coal power capacity and more than half of the global total of coal-fired power generation. In 2021, China emitted a record 7.96 billion metric tons of CO2 from coal, far outpacing all other countries. Despite robust efforts to expand renewables, coal remains central to meeting China’s surging electricity demands.
- Construction Surge: More than 200 GW of new coal plants were approved in 2022 and 2023, with 94.5 GW breaking ground in 2024, marking the highest construction rate since 2015.
- Employment Impact: China employs approximately 3.4 million coal miners and 740,000 coal power workers, adding complexity to any transition away from coal.
- Climate Pledges: The government has pledged to strictly limit coal growth by 2025, aiming for peak coal use before gradually reducing it during 2026–2030. No full phase-out commitment exists yet.
- Renewables Expansion: China also leads the world in solar and wind installations, but these are growing alongside—not replacing—coal.
Despite international pressure and ambitious climate targets, China’s coal expansion highlights the tension between development needs and environmental sustainability.
2. India: Rising Demand and Coal’s Enduring Role
India is the world’s second-largest coal consumer, with about 290 coal power plants totaling around 240 GW in capacity. Coal provides more than half of India’s electricity, and the country plans to build an additional 90 GW by 2032. In 2024 alone, India proposed 38.4 GW in new coal plants—the highest annual figure on record.
- Soaring Electricity Demand: India’s electricity needs grew by approximately 50% from 2014 to 2022—over twice the global average—fueling continued coal investment.
- Limited Phase-Out Plans: India has not set a date for retiring coal plants and expects coal to remain a staple in its energy mix for decades.
- Employment Considerations: The sector supports 1.4 million coal miners and 600,000 power plant workers, making transition socially and economically sensitive.
- Renewable Aspirations: Ambitious renewable targets exist (500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030), but coal is still expected to shoulder much of the load in the foreseeable future.
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3. United States: Declining Coal Consumption but Lasting Legacy
Historically the world’s top coal user, the United States has seen its reliance on coal diminish in recent decades, surpassed first by China and then India. As of 2025, the U.S. operates approximately 195 coal power plants. Coal use has halved since 2014, mainly replaced by natural gas, wind, and solar energy.
- Phase-Out Progress: The U.S. achieved a rapid reduction, cutting coal generation in half from 2014–2022.
- Emissions: Coal combustion still accounts for roughly 0.88 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions annually (2021 data).
- Policy Shift: No federal phase-out commitment exists, but market forces and regulations continue to drive coal plant retirements.
- Just Transition: Coal-producing communities face significant economic and employment challenges during the shift to cleaner energy sources.
Other Major Coal-Burning Countries
While China, India, and the United States dominate the coal landscape, a handful of other countries maintain relatively high coal consumption and generation, albeit on a smaller scale. These include:
- Indonesia: Both a top coal producer and consumer, Indonesia is simultaneously retiring older plants and building new captive coal generation for industrial use. It has pledged to phase out coal by 2040 but faces challenges due to industrial expansion.
- Russia: Maintains a significant coal fleet for domestic use and export, though global sanctions have impacted some of its international trade channels.
- South Africa: Depends on coal for the majority of its electricity, with Eskom, the national utility, operating most of the country’s large coal-fired stations.
- Australia: Both a major coal exporter and domestic user, with a focus on power generation and industrial processes.
- Germany: Historically a top coal user in Europe, Germany is now actively phasing out coal in favor of renewables, with a target of complete phase-out by 2038 (and accelerated discussions ongoing).
Global Coal Phase-Out: Countries Leading the Way
Driven by climate concerns, over 40 countries have publicly committed to phasing out coal, especially since the 2021 COP26 summit. Yet, China, India, and the United States did not commit, reflecting the complexities faced by the largest users. Several countries, however, have demonstrated rapid progress:
- Portugal: Eliminated coal from its power grid entirely.
- United Kingdom: Reduced coal use from 39% in 2012 to just 2% by 2020, leveraging wind and bioenergy.
- Denmark, Greece, Spain, and Chile: All rapidly declining in coal use through renewable adoption, policy action, and energy market reforms.
- United States (noted above): Halved coal power in eight years.
Portugal, Belgium, and Austria are among those that have eliminated coal entirely, while others are on track to follow suit within a decade.
Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Coal
The costs of coal extend well beyond its carbon footprint. Burning coal emits large quantities of particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, leading to:
- Air pollution-linked diseases: Respiratory conditions, lung cancer, and cardiovascular illnesses
- Water pollution: Contamination of rivers and groundwater from ash and heavy metals
- Climate change: Coal remains the single largest source of man-made CO2 emissions globally
- Mining impacts: Deforestation, ecosystem destruction, and community displacement
The health burden is especially acute in countries with loosely regulated emissions and densely populated communities near coal plants and mines.
The Coal Conundrum: Development Versus Decarbonization
For China, India, and similar nations, coal underpins industrial growth and poverty reduction, creating a fundamental challenge between short-term development and longer-term climate stability. New coal investment persists mainly to ensure energy security as demand soars. Transitioning to cleaner sources is further complicated by:
- Deep social and economic dependence on coal sectors
- Financial and infrastructure barriers for renewables
- Complex political economies, including subsidies and entrenched industry interests
Moving Forward: The Future of Coal
Despite recent expansions in Asia, the global trend outside China and India points to steady coal decline and phase-outs:
- New coal plant proposals have dried up in Southeast Asia except for select projects in Indonesia
- Latin America is nearing a coal-free electricity mix, with Panama and several countries phasing out remaining plants
- Europe’s largest coal economies are finalizing legally binding end dates
- Still, global progress is at risk of being offset by ongoing expansion in China and India
Ultimately, the ability to reach international climate goals will depend on whether the world’s largest coal users can accelerate their transitions without leaving workers and communities behind. This challenge—balancing energy needs, economic realities, and environmental imperatives—defines the coal debate in the 21st century.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which country burns the most coal?
A: China is the world’s largest coal consumer, responsible for over half of global coal-fired electricity and leading in both power plant count and related emissions.
Q: Why are China and India still building new coal power plants?
A: Rapidly rising electricity demand, energy security priorities, industrial growth, and millions of jobs in coal mining and power necessitate continued coal investment, even as renewables expand.
Q: How are countries phasing out coal?
A: Approaches include setting coal phase-out dates, investing in renewable generation, introducing carbon pricing, enforcing emissions standards, and supporting ‘just transition’ schemes for affected workers and communities.
Q: How does coal usage affect the environment?
A: Coal combustion is a leading source of air pollution, acid rain, mercury emissions, and greenhouse gas release, causing climate change and widespread health risks.
Q: Are there countries that have eliminated coal altogether?
A: Yes. Portugal, Belgium, and Austria have ended all coal power generation, while other European countries and Latin American nations are rapidly approaching a coal-free grid.
References
- https://globalenergymonitor.org/report/boom-and-bust-coal-2025/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/859266/number-of-coal-power-plants-by-country/
- https://www.wri.org/insights/countries-phasing-out-coal-power-fastest
- https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/major-countries-and-regions/
- https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/coal-consumption-by-country-terawatt-hours-twh
- https://globalenergymonitor.org/projects/global-coal-plant-tracker/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/530569/installed-capacity-of-coal-power-plants-in-selected-countries/
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