[Graphic News] Korea’s coal consumption No. 5 in world

Korea’s per capita coal consumption, as measured by tons of coal equivalent - an energy unit that standardizes different types of coal - has reached 2.29 tce according to a report by International Energy Agency on Tuesday.

The country with the highest per capita coal use is Kazakhstan with 3.15 tce followed by Australia (2.66), Taiwan (2.51), South Africa (2.46) and Korea. China and the U.S. ranked No. 7 and No. 10, respectively, with 2.07 and 1.93.

More developed countries are reducing their reliance on coal, realizing that it is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases.

Countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have cut coal use over the last 25 years, from 1.43 tce per person in 1990 to 1.13 tce in 2014.

However, Korea’s coal consumption is more than double the OECD average of 1.13 tce.

An energy industry official said, “Korea has suggested a reduction plan for greenhouse gases at the Paris climate summit but has been experiencing a rise in coal consumption,” adding that “There needs to be a fundamental solution for reducing greenhouse gases.”