The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports world energy consumption grew about 3% in 1995 and again in 1996, suggesting upward pressures on world energy use, which averaged 2%/year growth during 1987-96.
The U.S., Russia, and China produced 40% and consumed 42% of the world's energy in 1996.
Regionally, during 1987-96, Latin America had the highest annual rate of growth of energy production at 5%, and Asia had the highest annual rate of growth of energy consumption at 5%.
EIA, in its "International Energy Annual 1996," reported world CO2 emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels grew by about 2% during 1996 and at an average growth rate of 1%/year during 1987-96.
It said CO2 emission growth rates lag overall energy consumption growth rates because of the increasing use of gas (which is less carbon-intensive than oil or coal); growth in demand for oil and gas uses that sequester part of their carbon (such as chemicals); and increasing production of hydroelectricity and nuclear, geothermal, solar, and wind power.
EIA said the principal sources of CO2 emissions in 1996 were petroleum at 41%, coal 39%, and gas 20%.
Natural gas's share of world energy consumption rose to 22% in 1996 from 20% in 1987, while oil dropped to 39% from 40%, and coal fell to 25% from 27%.
Asian energy consumption grew about 3% in 1996 and faster (5%/year) than any region of the world during 1987-96.
Although energy consumption in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union fell 2% during 1996, it was the smallest decline since 1990.
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