The pace of progress in energy consumption



Since we discovered during the 19th century that we could access coal, natural gas and oil underground and burn it to produce energy – at that time we used this discovery to power the Industrial Revolution – fossil fuels have been an essential part of life and of our social and economic progress.

Some three centuries later, even though we are now working towards the goal of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, they remain the primary source of the energy that we consume at work and at home to this day.

So how far have we come in shifting the balance towards renewable energy?

You decide.

Check out this graphic which shows the total share of renewables of global energy consumption in 2013:

Global energy mix


ENERGY MATTERS
The energy mix around the world

Where you live can have a big impact on the forms of energy you use.

ENERGY MATTERS
Charting the world's energy landscape through the next generation

EIA’s International Energy Outlook 2016 gazes ahead to 2040


Energy Matters

In the world's conversation about energy, one point is beyond debate: Energy makes a vital contribution to people's quality of life, to society and to human progress. This is true today, and it will remain true in the future. That's why Energy Matters was created. We believe it's important to equip people with unbiased information so they may form opinions, join the conversation and feel confidence in the work and accomplishments of the energy sector. Energy Matters is an initiative that provides transparent information and perspective on energy. Here, we'll cover a range of topics: the scale of global energy; the ways energy is sourced and produced; current energy technology; forthcoming innovations; the world's future energy needs; and the sustainable sources of energy that will fill them. Because energy matters to everyone, we hope you'll rely on Energy Matters as an ongoing source of balanced information.