Top Trends of 2026 - Part 1

Hi ZipLawyer! Wouldn't it be nice to know the key business trends coming up in 2026 plus how to discuss them in interviews?

That's exactly what we've got for you today. Use these trends to impress in your applications, interviews and ACs!

Today we're covering:

🔋 Energy: Which energy will dominate?
🚗 Automotive: Slowdown time
👩‍⚕️ Healthcare: Spending keeps rising

Energy

Global energy demand will grow only modestly in 2026, but the energy mix itself is changing fast. Slower economic growth and efficiency gains will keep overall demand increases muted, while renewables continue to reshape how power is generated. Carbon emissions will rise only slightly as clean energy overtakes coal in electricity generation for the first time. However, the global transition remains uneven, with progress in some regions offset by backsliding in others.

Why it’s happening

🌿 Renewables pull ahead, led by China: Renewable energy is becoming the backbone of global power generation. In 2026, renewables excluding hydropower will account for more than 30 percent of electricity production, overtaking coal. China is driving much of this shift, adding vast amounts of wind and solar capacity at a scale unmatched anywhere else. While China’s coal emissions are expected to start falling, hopes of a rapid global decline in coal use will fade as demand continues to rise elsewhere.

🛢️ Gas and oil remain resilient: Fossil fuels are far from disappearing. Global oil production growth will slow as prices ease, dampening drilling activity even in markets supportive of fossil fuel development. Natural gas demand, however, remains strong. Rising production costs and global demand for liquefied natural gas are keeping prices buoyant. Countries from Australia to the Middle East are expanding LNG output, while Europe continues to invest in new import terminals despite falling regional gas prices.

🤖 Electricity demand rises with AI: The rapid expansion of data centres is reshaping electricity demand. Power consumption is set to rise sharply as artificial intelligence systems require vast amounts of reliable energy. This is prompting renewed interest in nuclear power, with countries such as France and Japan bringing reactors back online and China pushing ahead with new builds. At the same time, longer term solutions like nuclear fusion and geothermal energy are gaining attention as governments search for scalable, low carbon power sources.

How does this impact Law Firms?