Sustainability Research Highlights Need for Clean Energy Transition

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Aston University have emphasized the necessity of switching to clean sustainable energy to achieve the United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The study, recently published in Discover Sustainability, highlights the potential of ocean energy technologies, commonly referred to as "Blue Energy." However, the research also concludes that none of these technologies have the capacity to become as ubiquitous as solar and wind energy, and many have stalled in the journey from innovation to implementation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals require a major switch to clean sustainable energy.
  • Solar and wind energy are already making significant contributions to the transition, while ocean energy technologies, including tidal, wave, and salinity gradient systems, hold promise for the future.
  • Tidal energy, particularly tidal stream devices, are considered the most promising ocean energy technology for near-horizon implementation from a European perspective.
  • Despite their potential, no marine energy technology has the capacity to become as ubiquitous as solar and wind energy, and many have been or could be permanently stalled in the journey from innovation to implementation.
  • The researchers conclude that a comprehensive approach is needed to overcome the challenges and accelerate the development and deployment of ocean energy technologies.

Statistics:

  • 90% of the world's energy is still generated from fossil fuels (Source: International Energy Agency).
  • Solar and wind energy are already responsible for 35% of new power generation capacity additions worldwide (Source: International Energy Agency).
  • The global ocean energy market is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2025 (Source: MarketsandMarkets).
  • The global tidal energy market is expected to reach $4.3 billion by 2030 (Source: Grand View Research).

Sources:

  • On the potential of ocean energy technologies to contribute to future sustainability. Discover Sustainability, 2025,6(1):1-19. ( Publisher: Springer )
  • NewsRx. Studies from Aston University Provide New Data on Sustainability Research (On the potential of ocean energy technologies to contribute to future sustainability). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. September 5, 2025; p 847.