Renewable energy and carbon trading: A bibliometric analysis

The growing demand for power supply worldwide has intensified the use of electrical energy, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and their detrimental effects on global warming. As a result, research focusing on renewable energy and carbon trading has seen a substantial surge in publications documented in Scopus. In light of this trend, this study provides a comprehensive overview of renewable energy research and carbon trading using bibliometric analysis. A total of 925 articles were carefully selected through manual screening. Findings from the bibliometric analysis reveal that China and the USA stand out as the most productive countries in renewable energy and carbon trading research. Notably, these nations also contribute significantly to CO2 emissions. The prominence of these countries suggests a proactive engagement in seeking environmental solutions and mitigating their carbon footprints. On the other hand, countries such as the USA, Russian Federation, Japan, Germany, Iran, Other Asia Pacific countries, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and the United Kingdom demonstrate higher CO2 emissions stemming from coal consumption, unlike China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, and South Africa. These disparities can be linked to the distinct political policies pursued by these nations. This study sheds light on the current state of renewable energy research and carbon trading, highlighting the key players and their respective contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Such insights are vital for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers to foster sustainable development and combat the pressing challenges posed by climate change.