Percentage of primary energy consumption – Southwest Ledger

United States Energy Consumption Report 2024: An Analysis Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the 2024 energy consumption profile of the United States, evaluating the data in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The findings indicate a continued high reliance on fossil fuels, which challenges progress on climate targets, alongside notable growth in renewable energy sources, which aligns with the global transition to clean energy.

Fossil Fuel Consumption: A Challenge to SDG 13

The U.S. energy mix remains dominated by fossil fuels, which are the primary drivers of greenhouse gas emissions and present a significant obstacle to achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Petroleum: As the most-consumed energy source, petroleum accounts for 37.5% of total energy usage. This reliance on a carbon-intensive fuel runs counter to the objectives of reducing global emissions.
• Natural Gas: Consumption of natural gas has reached a historic high, comprising 36.3% of the nation’s energy. While sometimes considered a transitional fuel, its expanding role complicates the long-term goal of decarbonization under SDG 7.
• Coal: Coal’s share has declined significantly to 8.4%, down from 36.8% in 1950. This reduction represents a positive step toward meeting the targets of SDG 7 and SDG 13, though its continued use still contributes to climate change.

Progress in Clean and Low-Carbon Energy: Advancing SDG 7

The data shows progress in the adoption of cleaner energy sources, which is essential for achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and mitigating climate change.

• Renewable Energy: Comprising 9.1% of all power, renewable energy’s share has steadily increased. The consumption of wind and solar power has expanded more than twenty-fold since 2005, demonstrating a significant and positive shift towards the clean energy targets of SDG 7.
• Nuclear Power: Accounting for 8.7% of energy use, nuclear power provides a consistent, low-carbon energy source. Its role is critical in maintaining a diversified energy portfolio that supports the objectives of both SDG 7 and SDG 13.

Conclusion: Assessment of SDG Alignment

The 2024 U.S. energy profile presents a mixed landscape in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals. While the substantial decline in coal and the exponential growth in renewables are positive indicators for SDG 7 and SDG 13, the continued and growing dominance of petroleum and natural gas underscores the significant challenges that remain in the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon energy system.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The entire article is dedicated to analyzing the energy consumption mix of the United States. It breaks down the percentage of energy derived from different sources, including fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal) and cleaner sources (renewables, nuclear). This directly relates to SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article provides data that is crucial for understanding climate action progress. It highlights a significant decrease in coal consumption, a highly carbon-intensive fuel (“Coal accounted for 8.4% of power consumption, down nearly 15 percentage points since its peak in 2005”), and a substantial increase in renewable energy (“Both wind and solar consumption has increased more than 20 times since 2005”). This shift in the energy mix is a fundamental strategy for mitigating climate change.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is connected as the article details the nation’s energy consumption patterns. It shows a heavy reliance on non-renewable natural resources, with petroleum and natural gas combined accounting for 73.8% of all energy usage. This data is central to assessing the sustainability of national consumption patterns and the efficiency of natural resource use.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article directly addresses this target by providing specific figures on the share of renewable energy. It states, “Renewable energy sources comprised 9.1% of all power,” and notes its growth from 5.7% in 1950. The mention that “wind and solar consumption has increased more than 20 times since 2005” explicitly points to efforts and progress related to this target.

2. Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

   The article’s detailed breakdown of consumption—petroleum (37.5%), natural gas (36.3%), and coal (8.4%)—quantifies the nation’s use of finite natural resources for energy. The high percentage of fossil fuels indicates the scale of the challenge in achieving sustainable management of these resources, making this target highly relevant.

3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   While the article does not mention specific policies, the data strongly implies their impact. The dramatic shift away from coal (“down nearly 15 percentage points since its peak in 2005”) and the rapid growth of renewables are outcomes typically driven by national strategies and policies aimed at combating climate change. The statistics reflect the results of such integrated measures.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

   The article provides a direct measurement for this indicator. The statement, “Renewable energy sources comprised 9.1% of all power,” is a precise data point for Indicator 7.2.1. The historical data provided allows for tracking progress over time.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 12.2: Consumption of fossil fuels as a share of total energy consumption.

   The article provides the data to calculate this. By stating that petroleum is 37.5%, natural gas is 36.3%, and coal is 8.4%, it allows for the calculation of total fossil fuel consumption (73.8% + 8.4% = 82.2%). This figure serves as a clear, though implied, indicator of the country’s reliance on non-renewable natural resources, which is what Target 12.2 seeks to manage sustainably.

3. Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: Reduction in the share of high-carbon energy sources.

   Progress towards integrating climate measures can be measured by the shift in the energy mix. The article provides a key performance indicator for this by noting that coal’s share of power consumption is “down nearly 15 percentage points since its peak in 2005.” This reduction is a direct measure of the outcome of climate-focused planning and policy.

Source: southwestledger.news