The Power of Finance in a Warming World: A Bibliometric Analysis of Climate Finance and Its Role in Shaping a Sustainable Future (2015-2024)

Abstract

Climate finance has become a key enabler of global climate action, playing a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. Despite its growing importance, the field of climate finance remains complex and fragmented, with limited efforts to systematically map its intellectual structure and evolution. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of climate finance research from 2015 to 2024, analysing a total of 921 articles from the Scopus database. The study examines publication trends, influential authors and institutions, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution using performance analysis, science mapping, and network analysis. The findings reveal significant growth in climate finance research, driven by key milestones, including the Paris Agreement. Dominant research themes include the role of public and private finance, innovative financial instruments, and barriers to scaling up investments. Emerging topics such as blended finance, climate risk integration, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are also identified. The study highlights the contributions of climate finance research to shaping a sustainable future while underscoring gaps in equity, transparency, and policy impact. By providing a holistic understanding of the field, this analysis offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to advance climate finance and achieve global sustainability goals.