The burning of fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – in the production of energy is the leading cause of climate change and one of the world’s greatest health risks.
- The energy system is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for nearly three quarters of global emissions.
- Fossil fuel combustion is by far the largest source of health-damaging air pollution, causing around a quarter of adult deaths from stroke and heart disease, a third from lung cancer, and two-fifths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Providing carbon-free renewable energy to everyone who needs it will dramatically improve climate, human health and the economy.