Despite record growth in renewable energy, fossil fuels continue to dominate the global energy landscape, according to the Energy Institute’s 2025 Statistical Review. In 2024, global energy-related CO₂ emissions hit a record 37.8 billion tonnes, driven by a 2% rise in total energy demand and persistent reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas.
Wind and solar power expanded by 16%—nine times faster than overall energy demand—but this wasn’t enough to offset the growth in fossil fuel use. Coal remains the largest source of electricity generation globally, followed by oil and natural gas. Natural gas saw the biggest increase in generation, rising 2.5%.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that renewables will grow to 2.7 times their 2022 levels by 2030. However, this still falls short of the tripling target set at COP28 unless governments intensify policy support and investment.
In India, compressed natural gas (CNG) is emerging as a key transitional fuel. Crisil reports that over 18,000 new CNG stations are planned, supported by government incentives and rising urban mobility demand. Meanwhile, India’s renewable capacity surpassed 220 GW in 2025, but policy uncertainty—such as the expiration of transmission charge waivers—could slow future growth.
Globally, the energy transition is becoming more complex. While green fuels like hydrogen and bioenergy are gaining traction, they remain in early stages of commercialization. Nuclear energy is also making a comeback, especially in Asia, as countries seek stable, low-carbon baseload power.
The path forward will require a balanced mix of renewables, transitional fuels like CNG and LNG, and strategic deployment of green fuels. But without stronger policy frameworks and equitable financing, the world risks locking in high-emission infrastructure for decades to come.