International Desk
Jan 13, 2026: A sharp cold spell at the start of 2025 combined with rapidly rising electricity demand from data centres and cryptocurrency operations has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, ending a two-year downward trend, according to a recent analysis.
The study found that overall emissions rose by about 2.4 percent during the year, marking the first increase in three years. The rise exceeded the pace of economic growth, despite continued expansion in renewable energy generation.
One major factor was higher fuel consumption for home heating. In colder regions of the country, households largely depend on natural gas and other fossil fuels to stay warm. Prolonged low temperatures early in the year resulted in a significant increase in fuel use compared to the previous year.
Electricity demand also climbed sharply as data centres, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and cryptocurrency mining facilities expanded, particularly in parts of Texas and the Ohio Valley. This surge in power consumption put additional pressure on the national grid.
As natural gas prices increased, electricity producers turned more frequently to coal as an alternative. Coal use for power generation rose by roughly 13 percent, reversing a long-term decline. Analysts say this shift was driven by cost considerations rather than a strategic return to coal.
While solar energy production recorded strong growth, rising at its fastest pace in several years, it was not sufficient to offset higher emissions from heating and power generation. The increase in coal use stood in contrast to trends in some other major economies, where coal consumption continued to fall due to expanded renewable capacity.
Experts note that although coal power in the US has dropped significantly since its peak more than a decade ago, last year’s increase was notable. Power companies also slowed the retirement of coal-fired plants as they sought to ensure reliable electricity supplies amid growing demand.
The transport sector remains the largest contributor to US emissions, covering road, rail, and air travel. Traffic volumes continued to rise for a fifth consecutive year. However, emissions from transportation remained largely unchanged, helped by a growing number of hybrid and electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicle adoption, in particular, showed strong momentum.
The analysis suggests that recent policy shifts under President Donald Trump had limited immediate impact on emission levels during 2025. However, some climate advocates argue that expanded support for fossil fuel production, natural gas exports, and energy-intensive industries could contribute to higher emissions in the coming years.
With demand from digital infrastructure expected to keep growing, analysts warn that without major upgrades to renewable capacity and grid efficiency, pressure on fossil fuel use may persist, complicating efforts to reduce emissions over the long term.
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