Air Emissions and Environmental Challenges in the Energy Industry: A Review

Abstract

The global energy sector, owing to the high complexity of its installations, technological processes, and the waste streams it generates, has a profound and multifaceted impact on the environment. Electric power generation influences ecosystems, alters local microclimatic conditions, and poses risks to human health. Conventional thermal energy production based on fossil fuels remains the most polluting source, whereas renewable energy technologies and nuclear power generally exhibit lower environmental footprints, though they may still involve indirect or long-term ecological effects. Pollutants originating from the energy sector contribute to the degradation of air, soil, and water quality, as well as to climate change and broader ecological imbalances. Patterns of energy production and consumption differ significantly among countries, reflecting disparities in resource availability, geographic characteristics, and policy frameworks. Despite the accelerating deployment of renewable energy, fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix in many regions of the world.