The trend of Alternative Energy Solutions encompasses the variety of technologies and related infrastructure which harness, store, and use energy from renewable, inexhaustible sources. In this trend, conventional fossil energy systems are abandoned and replaced by those relying on sunlight, wind, water, geothermal, biomass, and other sources.
Global warming affects people and businesses, across industries and countries, and is exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. The electricity generated from coal-fired power plants, as well as total global emissions, reached an alarming peak in 2021 so CO2-heavy industries such as logistics must develop, invest in, and use alternative energy sources. Progress is being made – in the same year, wind and solar energy accounted for 10% of total global electricity, and all power from sustainable sources reached 38%. However, there is still great potential for industry in particular to advance and implement alternative energy solutions to lead the way towards a future of clean energy.
There is common understanding across the logistics industry that alternative energy solutions are needed to ultimately reduce CO2 emissions to zero. However, existing solutions are not yet available in the quantities required or are significantly more expensive than conventional, non-renewable solutions. Therefore, in order to implement the UN roadmap for clean energy and reduce the share of fossil fuels in the global energy mix to 30% by 2030, high investments in the development and application of alternative energy solutions are required.