CBC
A new report released Wednesday said China overtook the United States to become the world's biggest energy consumer in 2010. China accounted for 20.3% of demand, compared with the United States' 19%.
The report said China's consumption rose by 11.2% last year. American demand increased 3.7%.
China was by far the world's largest consumer of coal, taking 48%. The United States remained the largest consumer of oil with 21%, or double China's consumption.
Demand Grows at Fastest Rate in 38 Years
Globally, energy consumption rose by 5.6% in 2010—the fastest pace since 1973—as fast-growing developing nations led a strong rebound from recession, according to the report.
Consumption in the world's richest countries grew by 3.5%—the most since 1984—bringing it back to the level of a decade ago.
Consumption in developing countries, particularly resource-hungry ones in Asia and South America, logged a 7.5% increase.
The report affirms the finding of the IEA, which reported in July that China had become the world's biggest energy consumer, though Chinese officials insisted their country still lagged behind the U.S.
A new report released Wednesday said China overtook the United States to become the world's biggest energy consumer in 2010. China accounted for 20.3% of demand, compared with the United States' 19%.
The report said China's consumption rose by 11.2% last year. American demand increased 3.7%.
China was by far the world's largest consumer of coal, taking 48%. The United States remained the largest consumer of oil with 21%, or double China's consumption.
Demand Grows at Fastest Rate in 38 Years
Globally, energy consumption rose by 5.6% in 2010—the fastest pace since 1973—as fast-growing developing nations led a strong rebound from recession, according to the report.
Consumption in the world's richest countries grew by 3.5%—the most since 1984—bringing it back to the level of a decade ago.
Consumption in developing countries, particularly resource-hungry ones in Asia and South America, logged a 7.5% increase.
The report affirms the finding of the IEA, which reported in July that China had become the world's biggest energy consumer, though Chinese officials insisted their country still lagged behind the U.S.
