The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that global coal consumption will reach an all-time high of approximately 8.85 billion tons in 2025, marking a 0.5% increase from the previous year. The agency’s annual report, released Wednesday, attributes the growth partly to U.S. policy decisions under the Trump administration aimed at revitalizing industrial sectors.

According to the IEA, China and India remain the primary drivers of global coal use due to rising electricity demand and industrial expansion. While China’s consumption has stabilized, India’s demand has recently declined due to increased hydropower generation from early and intense monsoon seasons. In contrast, U.S. coal demand has risen as higher natural gas prices and federal support have kept coal-fired plants operational.

The IEA warns that coal remains the largest source of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, significantly contributing to global warming. However, it expects demand to gradually decline toward the end of the decade as renewable energy capacity expands worldwide.