The nexus between green finance and ESG components: a bibliometric qualitative literature review through the lens of environmental sustainability

Purpose This study aims to identify key trends and future research directions in green finance (GF) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) research. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 399 articles, complemented by a systematic content analysis. Data were collected from the years 2014 to 2024. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques were used to map publication trends, influential publications and emerging research topics synthesised into an integrative conceptual framework. Findings This study highlights the significance of GF in promoting sustainability outcomes, underscoring the importance of corporate ESG engagement. It identifies four thematic clusters: GF and sustainable development; GF and environmental sustainability; GF and green economy; and GF and sustainable investment. The findings also outline the annual scientific production and influential publications, sources, authors and countries and propose future research questions for each major thematic cluster. In addition, a conceptual framework was developed highlighting three pathways where GF functions as a catalyst that enables green innovation (GI), strengthens ESG performance and directly funds sustainable projects. Practical implications This study offers a twofold agenda for researchers and policymakers. Researchers are provided with an integrative conceptual framework and 12 targeted future research questions supported by an integrated future research roadmap. Policymakers gain insights into policy design, institutional barriers and context-specific GF implementation strategies. Originality/value This study enriches the literature by systematically integrating GF, GI, corporate ESG practices and environmental sustainability. It advances the field through a multidimensional integrative framework linking GF, GI, ESG and environmental sustainability; and a structured research roadmap identifying priority themes, underexplored areas and methodological directions. It further clarifies how green financial instruments influence climate change mitigation and sustainability outcomes.