Coal consumption is expected to rise.
Regionally, increased use of coal in non OECD countries is likely to account for 85% of the total growth in world coal consumption.
Although coal currently is the second-largest fuel source of energy relatedcarbon dioxide emissions (behind oil), accounting for 39.2% of the world total in 2008, it is projected to become the largest source by 2010. The two key factors underlying the increase are a more rapid projected growth rate for world coal consumption than for oil consumption and the fact that carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy output are higher for coal than for oil or natural gas.
Although coal deposits are widely distributed, 67% of the world's recoverable reserves are located in four countries: the United States (27%), Russia (17%), China (13%), and India (10%). Coal consumption is expected to drastically increase in these four countries.
