China burns almost half of the world's coal consumption

(Nanowerk News) Coal consumption in China grew more than 9% in 2011, continuing its upward trend for the 12th consecutive year, according to newly released international data. China's coal use grew by 325 million tons in 2011, accounting for 87% of the 374 million ton global increase in coal use. Of the 2.9 billion tons of global coal demand growth since 2000, China accounted for 2.3 billion tons (82%).
China now accounts for 47% of global coal consumption—almost as much as the entire rest of the world combined.
global coal consumption
(Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics)
Robust coal demand growth in China is the result of a more than 200% increase in Chinese electric generation since 2000, fueled primarily by coal.
China's coal demand growth averaged 9% per year from 2000 to 2010, more than double the global growth rate of 4% and significantly higher than global growth excluding China, which averaged only 1%.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy