Mapping the Research Landscape of Emission Trading System, Carbon Emission, and Economic Growth: A Bibliometric Analysis
Abstract
The growing adoption of the Emission Trading System (ETS) as a market-oriented policy tool has garnered increasing interest due to its effectiveness in lowering carbon emissions while fostering sustainable economic development. Nevertheless, the swift rise in publications has not led to a thorough comprehension of the intellectual framework and research trends within this domain. Consequently, this study seeks to chart the progression of research concerning the Emission Trading System, carbon emissions, and economic growth through a bibliometric lens. The research utilized metadata sourced from the Crossref database via Publish or Perish, encompassing publications released between 2021 and 2026. A bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer 1.6.20 and Biblioshiny to investigate publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic connections. The analysis revealed 334 keywords categorized into 11 clusters, suggesting that the literature has developed into multiple interrelated research themes. The primary themes concentrate on emission trading policies, economic growth alongside energy consumption, carbon emission reduction coupled with industrial decarbonization, and the governance of emission trading systems. Additionally, the findings indicate a transition in research focus from assessing carbon trading mechanisms to exploring technological innovation, carbon pricing, and the transformation of industries towards low-carbon practices. This study concludes that while research on ETS has significantly expanded, there is still a scarcity of studies that integrate emission trading systems with sustainability governance and policy implementation in developing nations. These insights are crucial for guiding future research and aiding the formulation of effective carbon market policies aimed at achieving a sustainable economic transition.
Keywords: Emission Trading System, Carbon Emission, Economic Growth, Bibliometric Analysis, VOSviewer.
