Global coal demand temporarily declined in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent reports indicate that demand has rebounded as economies recover from the pandemic and in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to the Global Energy Review 2025 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global coal demand rose by 1.2% in 2024. Much of this demand comes from Asia, particularly China, India, and Indonesia.
Despite its critical role in energy supply, coal poses significant environmental risks. So, what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages of coal as an energy source? Let’s break it down.
What Are the Advantages of Coal as an Energy Source?
Coal has long been used to meet electricity demand and fuel economic growth in both developing and industrialized nations. Here are some key advantages of coal:
Abundant Supply
Coal remains one of the most plentiful energy resources worldwide. Global reserves are projected to meet energy needs for several more decades, making coal a dependable energy source, especially in the short to medium term.
Low Production and Distribution Costs
Compared to alternative energy sources, coal is relatively cheap to produce. The supporting infrastructure, such as mining operations, transportation systems, and power plants, is already well established, keeping operational costs low and consistent.
High Energy Output
Coal can generate large amounts of energy, making it highly suitable for electricity production and industrial use.
Coal-fired power plants provide consistent energy output with high operational efficiency, which is vital for national energy security.
Crucial for Heavy Industry
Coal is also widely used in industries such as steelmaking, cement, and chemicals. Certain types of coal, like coking coal, are essential for metallurgical processes and difficult to replace with other energy sources.
Read More: The Benefits of Alternative Energy Over Fossil Fuels
What Are the Disadvantages of Coal?
Despite its benefits, coal also poses serious environmental and health risks. Here are three major downsides of using coal:
Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Coal combustion is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy sector, accounting for approximately 40% of global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise, polar ice to melt, and extreme weather patterns to intensify.
Causes Air Pollution
Burning coal releases not only CO₂ but also harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, which can lead to acid rain.
Acid rain contributes significantly to environmental degradation and poor air quality. Additionally, coal-related smog can pose serious health risks when inhaled.
Destroys Ecosystems
Coal mining, especially open-pit mining, can cause severe environmental damage. It often destroys natural habitats, disrupts ecosystems, and leads to erosion and sediment buildup in nearby rivers.
Toxic substances and heavy metals from mining can also contaminate groundwater, threatening both wildlife and human populations.
Read More: The Ideal Energy Alternatives for Coal Replacements
LNG as a Cleaner Alternative to Coal
As global energy demand grows, coal remains a major contributor to carbon emissions and climate change. To address this, the world must turn to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a more eco-friendly and reliable solution. Compared to coal, LNG emits 40% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) and 30% less than petroleum.
Moreover, the LNG processing cycle does not produce solid waste like ash. Its higher energy efficiency also makes LNG a better choice to support the transition toward cleaner energy.
For countries that heavily rely on coal, LNG provides a viable pathway to a greener energy system without compromising energy reliability.
References:
- IEA. Accessed 2025. Coal – Global Energy Review 2025
- Britannica. Accessed 2025. Coal
- World Resources Institute. Accesed 2025. Where Do Emissions Come From? 4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector
- National Grid. Accessed 2025. What is Liquified Natural Gas
