Bibliometric analysis on green finance and sustainable investment

The transition toward sustainable finance has catalyzed an unprecedented evolution in global financial practices, driven by the need to integrate environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience. This study conducts a detailed bibliometric analysis of green finance and sustainable investment literature to map intellectual developments, identify leading contributors, and discern emerging research trends. Drawing from major academic databases and leveraging visualization tools such as VOSviewer, the analysis highlights the increasing scholarly focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration, the expansion of green bonds and impact investing, and the growing influence of financial technologies like blockchain and AI in sustainability assessments. The study further explores how international frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, have accelerated research output and steered the evolution of sustainable finance narratives. In doing so, it emphasizes the growing interdisciplinary collaborations across finance, technology, policy, and environmental science, underscoring the complex and interconnected nature of green finance initiatives. The bibliometric results reveal a sharp rise in publications and citations after 2015, reflecting heightened global commitment to sustainability. China, the USA, and Germany emerge as leading contributors, while thematic clusters center around ESG integration, digital finance, and policy frameworks. Despite significant progress, major barriers persist, notably the absence of standardized ESG metrics and regulatory inconsistencies across regions. Furthermore, collaboration networks show that while developed economies dominate research outputs, there remains an urgent need for broader participation from emerging economies. The study concludes that achieving truly sustainable financial systems will require harmonized policies, technological innovation, and a deepened commitment to inclusive, global collaboration.