Mapping the intellectual landscape of green economy and sustainable finance: A bibliometric analysis (2014–2024)

Stephen Bishibura Erick; Bonamax Mbasa; Kulwa Mang’ana

doi:10.51867/scimundi.6.1.15

Authors

Stephen Bishibura Erick Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1400-9734
Bonamax Mbasa Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), Tanzania https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8072-6408
Kulwa Mang’ana Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2319-080X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/scimundi.6.1.15

Keywords:

Climate Change, Environmental Sustainability, Financial Innovation, Green Economy, Green Finance, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Finance

Abstract

This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on green economy and sustainable finance from 2014 to 2024. Drawing upon a dataset of 692 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus and analysed using the Bibliometrix R package, the study maps the field’s intellectual landscape, thematic development, and collaborative networks. The findings reveal a consistent increase in scientific output, with a pronounced surge in publications after 2018. This growth trend aligns with global policy milestones such as the Paris Agreement, the European Union [EU] Sustainable Finance Action Plan, and the proliferation of Environmental, Social, and Governance [ESG] integration and green bonds. China emerges as the most productive country, while institutions such as Jiangsu University, the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and the Lebanese American University lead in publication volume and collaboration intensity. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic mapping identify dominant themes related to green finance, environmental sustainability, ESG frameworks, and renewable energy, alongside emerging topics like climate risk disclosure and transition finance. Conceptual and co-word network analyses further reveal the interdisciplinary integration of finance, economics, policy, and environmental science. The study also demonstrates the growing decentralization of institutional influence and the rise of both North–South and South–South collaborations. These findings offer valuable insights into the evolving structure of research in sustainable finance and inform future academic inquiry and policy development.

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