Following the devastating effects of climate change, and the need to divest from pollution-causing sources, the clean energy transition has presented itself as the gateway to a global economic recovery.
Clean energy, as the name implies, is energy derived from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used. Renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind energy, biogas and hydropower have huge potential for accelerating an economy.
Adopting clean energy accomplishes several goals, among which are:
Job creation: Clean energy helps liberate the lack of employment as many governments have prioritised renewable energy development. According to an analysis conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an estimate of about 12 million people worldwide have been employed in the sector.
Reduction of greenhouse gases: With the rapid growth of alternative energy sources for transportation, cooking, and industrial processes, clean energy has helped reduce the over-dependence on fossil fuels that emit CO2 when in use. Electric vehicles are gradually phasing out fossil-fuelled cars as a sustainable alternative.
Green hydrogen, a clean energy source, has equally gained traction in phasing out coal and its associated fuels. In addition, green hydrogen derived from renewable energy has been experimented to be a suitable fuel source for aeroplanes due to its lightness and in industries due to its combustion speed.