Towards SDG 7: A Bibliometric Review of Financial Development, Governance, and Renewable Energy Consumption

ABSTRACT This study aims to provide a thorough bibliometric analysis of the existing literature on financial development, foreign direct investment (FDI), CO 2 emissions, and governance in renewable energy consumption towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. This study analyses 2,050 publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 1997 to 2025. It aims to outline the evolution of the global research agenda on finance, investment, institutional quality, and CO 2 emissions, considering renewable energy consumption. Results show that the academic interest in the finance‐energy‐environment nexus is on the rise, especially after the Paris Agreement and the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. A shift in focus from emissions and economic growth to the increasing importance of green finance, governance, and cross‐border investment to facilitate a clean energy transition is observed. This study highlights that, over the past years, FDI and sustainable development have become a relevant topic of research, emphasising the importance of securing finance and building institutional capacities to support a cleaner energy transition. Notably, the study uncovers significant variations in research across regions. A reliable financial and institutional base is crucial for an inclusive and sustainable energy transition, and this trend provides useful directions for policymaking based on findings from the past three decades. JFL Classifications : Q01; Q42; F21; G20; C83