This scientific article recently published in one of the most prestigious journals on the subject of Renewable and Sustainable Energy from ELSEVIER Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, the result of work between researchers from the Tecnológico de Monterrey, the University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE) and its Research Center CAYEI, presents the energy scenarios for Mexico in 2050. Indeed, a country with 144 million inhabitants and an uncertain energy future.

This study helps us to visualize two possible paths. The first, if Mexico continues as it has been doing, it could consume much more energy from fossil fuels, increasing CO2 emissions and aggravating climate change. The second, much more ambitious path, proposes a clean and sustainable future. To achieve this, fossil fuel consumption needs to be drastically reduced, electricity from renewable energies, biofuels and hydrogen must be used, and the habits of the country’s inhabitants must be changed. This change is not only technological, it also implies a commitment from all Mexicans: from the decisions made on a daily basis to investments in infrastructure and public policies. The study shows us that it is possible to build a greener future, but it requires a joint and urgent effort.

The results of this work conclude that, in order to combat climate change, it is urgent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO2, from transportation. This study focuses on Mexico and proposes a way to analyze and plan how to achieve a sustainable energy transition in this sector. They created six scenarios, from “Business as Usual” (BAU) to “Net Zero Emissions”, considering environmental, socioeconomic, technological and governance aspects. The scenarios explore different combinations of clean energies such as electricity, hydrogen, biofuels and a gradual reduction of fossil fuels. Electrification of transport plays a crucial role in decarbonization. The results show that it is possible to drastically reduce emissions, but to achieve this, up-to-date and reliable information is needed, technologies must be in place, and public policies, investments and behavioral changes must be in place to support this transition. In short, the study gives us a roadmap for a cleaner future in transportation, but achieving it requires a concerted effort and careful planning.

The authors send a message to the inhabitants of the North American country “The decision is in our hands.”

S.I. Vallarta-Serrano, E. Santoyo-Castelazo, E. Santoyo, R.A. Ramirez-Mendoza, R. Bustamante-Bello, L. Beltrán-Rodríguez, Scenarios of sustainable energy transition towards the decarbonisation of the road transport sector: A case study for Mexico, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 212, 2025, 115341, ISSN 1364-0321, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115341.

Author:
Eng. Julián Peña – Director of the Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management and Renewable Energies.
Dr. Ricardo Ramírez – Vice Rector for Strategy and Growth.