Bibliometric analysis of green economy pathways advancing sustainable development goals

The green economy serves as the main economic system which supports SDG achievement through its combination of economic expansion with environmental protection and social fairness. The number of academic studies about the green economy and SDGs has increased however researchers have not proven how these two fields connect through economic mechanisms. This study addresses this gap through its thorough bibliometric assessment which examines green economy connections to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research analyzed 3,013 journal articles and reviews indexed in Scopus spanning 2008 to 2025, noting that data for 2025 is partial due to ongoing indexing by the database and does not represent a complete annual count. The Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer enable researchers to use bibliometric techniques for performance analysis and science mapping which help them study publication patterns and scientific collaboration systems and thematic development. The research data shows that scientific studies began to grow rapidly after 2015 when the SDGs became official while researchers worked together more closely and new economic powers started to participate in the field. The research on green growth has shifted from policy-based studies to focus on innovation-based and financial-oriented topics which include circular economy and digitalization and green finance. The research shows how the green economy functions as a developing economic system which supports advancement of specific SDGs which focus on economic expansion and innovative practices and sustainable manufacturing and environmental protection. The research provides evidence-based results which will guide future research and aid policymakers create sustainable development strategies.