US Coal Resurgence Drives Global Emissions Spike in 2025

Global energy sector emissions climbed by 1.1% in 2025, a stark departure from the previous average annual decrease of 0.7%. While global electricity demand spiked by 3%—driven by the rapid expansion of data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicle infrastructure—supply failed to keep pace. The reliance on coal intensified as domestic energy policy shifted under President Trump, who designated the sector as a pillar of national security.

This policy pivot halts the Biden administration’s push to phase out coal. The Energy Information Administration now suggests that aging power plants previously slated for decommissioning will remain operational to prevent potential grid instability. Internal Department of Energy analysis warns that retiring these facilities could increase the risk of power shortages by a factor of 100 by 2030. Meanwhile, global hydrocarbon dependence remains stubborn; oil consumption reached 103 million barrels per day, a 1.3% increase, even as international efforts to prioritize electrification and alternative energy sources continue.