China was followed by the US, which burned 18% of the world's total coal, said the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute in an update to its Vital Signs report.
The European Union and India came in third and fourth place, accounting for 10% and 8% of total coal use, respectively.
Demand for coal is growing rapidly in China, which accounted for more than 70% of the global growth in coal use in 2006 and for more than 60% of the rise in coal use over the past decade.
See chinadialogue's coverage of the Vital Signs report
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By Wolfiewolf