CEO gender perspectives in climate and environmental governance: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Purpose This study explores the impact of CEO gender on climate and environmental governance by mapping existing literature using the Scopus database. Design/methodology/approach We employed a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review to identify key themes, trends, and gaps in the research. The final sample of 127 documents comprising 124 articles and three reviews revealed a recent surge (2006–2024) in publications, with significant contributions from China, the United States and the United Kingdom. Findings Our findings indicate that gender diversity at the top management level, particularly among CEOs, is increasingly recognized as an important factor influencing corporate environmental performance and governance. The analysis identified five main clusters: the impact of critical mass gender diversity on firm decisions, environmental performance and gender diversity, ESG disclosures and gender diversity, the interplay between CEO characteristics and gender diversity, and the institutional and cultural environmental role in gender diversity. Notably, the presence of women in leadership roles is associated with enhanced environmental and governance outcomes. However, regional disparities and mixed findings highlight the need for further research, particularly in underexplored regions like the Middle East and Africa. Originality/value This study contributes to a topic not extensively summarized in existing literature by examining comprehensive insights of gendered perspectives on climate governance initiatives, offering insights for future research and policy development.