Net Zero Emissions in Developing Countries: A Scholarly Mapped Bibliometric Analysis of Energy Policy and Sustainable Development
Keywords:
Net Zero Emissions, Sustainable Development, Energy Policy, Developing Countries, Bibliometric.Abstract
Sustainable Development Goals, along with climate change, have received global attention as the world attempts to realize a sustainable and clean environment that not only lets future generations flourish but also actualizes equity. The concept of NZE: Net Zero Emission has been a trending topic for years, yet the study regarding the effort and progress to realize it is still scarce. Hence, this study contributes to the development and identification of key themes that underlie Net Zero Emission scholarly literature through bibliometric analysis. Based on 643 English-language literature from 1993 to 2026, showing how the broad concept of energy policy and emission control is evolving towards further focused discussion regarding decision-making and climate change. Increased interest in research has shed light on socio-economic matters, policy frameworks, and technology innovations. This study contributes prominent mapping regarding Net Zero Emission while also advancing gaps and guidance through valuable insights for those regarding Net Zero Emission, such as academics, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
References
Ajagun, Sun, A. S. ., Pan, X. ., & X. (2022). A Review of Planning of Integrated Energy System in Nigeria. Nan, nan. https://doi.org/10.1109/NIGERCON54645.2022.9803125
Ali, Abbas, G. ., Pan, S. ., Chen, Y. ., Hussain, Z. ., Sajjad, J. ., Ashraf, M. ., & A. (2019). Urban environment dynamics and low carbon society: Multi-criteria decision analysis modeling for policy makers. Sustainable Cities and Society, 51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101763
Benitez S., I. B. . D. (2026). A multi-stakeholder assessment of the implications of non-energy policies on renewable energy development in the Philippines. Energy for Sustainable Development, 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2025.101919
Bhardwaj, Joshi, A. ., Khosla, M. ., Dubash, R. ., & N.K. (2019). More priorities, more problems? Decision-making with multiple energy, development and climate objectives. Energy Research and Social Science, 49, 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.11.003
Bose, Nesamani, R. K. ., & K.S. (2001). Issues, strategies, and challenges for sustainable urban transport: Modelling the impact on the local and global environment - Case of Delhi. Pacific and Asian Journal of Energy, 11(1), 31–49.
Cadman, Chappel, T. ., Ahlström, B. ., Bose, H. ., Basak, A. ., Bradley, B. ., Breakey, T. ., Buckwell, H. ., Coutinho, A. ., Dembek, D. R. ., Junqueira, K. ., Dey, G. ., Ferrando, S. R. ., Young, T. ., Hales, A. F. ., Islam, R. ., Karki, M. W. ., Koju, S. ., Kun, U. ., … K.A. (2022). Sustainable development and finance post-pandemic - future directions and challenges. Nan, nan, 653–665. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110733488-028
Cheng J., Z. . C. (2026). New energy infrastructure and household energy poverty: Insights from ultra-high voltage technology. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124492
Chilukuri, Usman, Y. ., Rajpurohit, A. . S., & B.S. (2023). Assessing the Impact of Renewable Energy Sources to Achieve Net Zero Emissions. Nan, nan, 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1109/SusTech57309.2023.10129543
Coscieme, Ochieng, L. ., Spillane, C. A. ., Donohue, C. ., & I. (2023). Measuring policy coherence on global access to clean energy between European countries. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 28(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-023-10058-5
De, Carvalho, C. C. ., Garcia, C. N. ., Sica, D. F. H. ., & E.T. (2006). Investments in clean development mechanism projects in Latin America and diversification of the regional electrical energy matrix. Nan, nan. https://doi.org/10.1109/TDCLA.2006.311395
Elavarasan, M., Selvamanohar, R. M. ., Raju, L. ., Vijayaraghavan, K. ., Subburaj, R. R. ., Nurunnabi, R. ., Khan, M. ., Afridhis, I. A. ., Hariharan, S. ., Pugazhendhi, A. ., Subramaniam, R. ., Das, U. ., & N. (2020). A Holistic Review Of The Present And Future Drivers Of The Renewable Energy Mix in Maharashtra, state of India. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166596
Gan, Oki, K. E. ., Gan, O. ., Weis, T. Y. ., Yamazaki, T. ., Schüttrumpf, D. ., & H. (2023). Enhancing Renewable Energy Systems, Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals of United Nation and Building Resilience Against Climate Change Impacts. Energy Technology, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202300275
Gao, Zhou, W. ., Li, N. ., Kammen, H. ., & D.M. (2007). Possibility and potential of clean development mechanisms in China. Environmental Research Letters, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/2/4/044005
Ghiasi, Dehghani, M. ., Niknam, M. ., Siano, T. ., Alhelou, P. ., & H.H. (2023). A Detailed Analysis of the Barriers of Using Renewable Energies and Their Roles in Sustainable Development in Iran. Nan, 1–4, 2607–2630. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97940-9_84
Hsiao, Hu, C.-J. ., & J.-L. (2024). Biomass and Circular Economy: Now and the Future. Biomass (Switzerland), 4(3), 720–739. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030040
Ikejemba, Mpuan, E. C. X. ., Schuur, P. B. ., Hillegersberg, P. C. . van, & J. (2017). The empirical reality & sustainable management failures of renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (part 1 of 2). Renewable Energy, 102, 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.10.037
Islar, Brogaard, M. ., Lemberg-Pedersen, S. ., & M. (2017). Feasibility of energy justice: Exploring national and local efforts for energy development in Nepal. Energy Policy, 105, 668–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.03.004
Kemp, Never, R. ., Turkeli, B. ., & S. (2020). Fostering Sustainable Development Goals Through an Integrated Approach: Phasing in Green Energy Technologies in India and China. Nan, nan, 108–124. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0006
Lacey-Barnacle, Robison, M. ., Foulds, R. ., & C. (2020). Energy justice in the developing world: a review of theoretical frameworks, key research themes and policy implications. Energy for Sustainable Development, 55, 122–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2020.01.010
Leung, Ko, C. K. ., Guo, J. ., & C. (2025). Weathering the storm: Analyzing the impact of extreme climate events on energy consumption across 141 countries. Innovation and Green Development, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2025.100255
Madurai Elavarasan L.; Raju, K.; Vijayaraghavan, R.R.; Subburaj, R.; Nurunnabi, M.; Khan, I.A.; Afridhis, S.; Hariharan, A.; Pugazhendhi, R.; Subramaniam, U.; Das, N., R. M. . S. (2020). A Holistic Review Of The Present And Future Drivers Of The Renewable Energy Mix in Maharashtra, state of India. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166596
Mehmood, Moktadir, A. ., Zhou, M. A. ., Ren, J. ., Zhang, J. ., & L. (2023). Energy sustainability blueprint: A critical analysis of macro and micro influential factors in Pakistan. Energy for Sustainable Development, 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2023.101311
Mondal, & M. (2024). Staving off Climate Change for Assuring Sustainable Development: India’s Domestic Policies Amidst International Climate Dialogues. Nan, nan, 281–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3870-0_15
Morsy, E., Wardah, R. M. ., Abouraia, A. S. ., Elbaz, M. K. ., Mohamed, S. T. ., Khaled, M. ., Abdelnasser, K. ., Tarek, E. ., Khalifa, N. E. . El, & W.S. (2024). The Effect of Climate Change on Inflation and Economic Growth in Egypt (1990-2020). Proceedings of International Conference on Research in Education and Science, 10(1), 2674–2698.
Mortazavi, Hashemi, S. M. J. ., & Z. (2008). Iran’s sustainable development and the need to a reform in energy consumption policy. Nan, 5, 3146–3149.
Onyeneke C.C.; Nwajiuba, C.U., R. U. . E. (2025). Energy Transition, Climate Action and Sustainable Agriculture: Perspectives and Strategies for Africa. 1–565. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83165-2
Peña, de la, Guo, L. ., Cao, R. ., Ni, X. ., Zhang, X. ., & W. (2022). Accelerating the energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105957
Pietrosemoli, Rodríguez-Monroy, L. ., & C. (2013). The impact of sustainable construction and knowledge management on sustainability goals. A review of the Venezuelan renewable energy sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 27, 683–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.07.056
Princiotta, Loughlin, F. T. ., & D.H. (2014). Global climate change: The quantifiable sustainability challenge. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 64(9), 979–994. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2014.923351
Reyes–Mercado, Rajagopal, P. ., & R. (2016). Marketing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: A Policy Paradigm for Mexico. Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science, nan, 534–541. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24184-5_135
Sagar, & A.D. (2005). Alleviating energy poverty for the world’s poor. Energy Policy, 33(11), 1367–1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2004.01.001
Shakya, Nakarmi, S. R. ., Prajapati, A. M. ., Pradhan, A. ., Rajbhandari, B. B. ., Rupakheti, U. S. ., Lawrence, M. ., & M.G. (2023). Environmental, energy security, and energy equity (3E) benefits of net-zero emission strategy in a developing country: A case study of Nepal. Energy Reports, 9, 2359–2371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.055
Stevović, Golubović, S. ., Mirjanić, D. ., & S. (2020). Renewable Energy Sources and Corelated Environmental Systems. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 76, 530–540. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18072-0_61
Suryawan, Suhardono, I. W. K. ., Adicita, S. ., Phan, Y. . T., Lee, T. T. T. ., Rahman, C.-H. ., Ulhasanah, A. ., Sari, N. ., & M.M. (2026). Determinants of public acceptance of waste-to-energy policies: Implications for renewable energy transition and sustainable development. Cleaner Production Letters, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100128
Tang, Ding, J. ., & W. (2026). Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge and corn cobs to produce solid recovered fuel: Parametric synergistic analysis through deep machine learning, economic feasibility and contribution in circular economy. Renewable Energy, 257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.124730
Thiam, & D.R. (2011). An energy pricing scheme for the diffusion of decentralized renewable technology investment in developing countries. Energy Policy, 39(7), 4284–4297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.04.046
Uddin, Hasan, G. S. ., Park, M. B. ., Ali, D. ., Wadström, M. S. ., & C. (2025). Exploring the economic and non-economic determinants of investments in renewable energy. Renewable Energy, 255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123750
Wang, Su, Q. ., & M. (2020). Integrating blockchain technology into the energy sector - From theory of blockchain to research and application of energy blockchain. Computer Science Review, 37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosrev.2020.100275
Watts, Albornoz, D. ., Watson, C. ., & A. (2015). Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) after the first commitment period: Assessment of the world’s portfolio and the role of Latin America. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 41, 1176–1189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.146
Yue, Liu, C.-D. ., Liou, C.-M. ., & E.M.L. (2001). A transition toward a sustainable energy future: Feasibility assessment and development strategies of wind power in Taiwan. Energy Policy, 29(12), 951–963. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(01)00025-8
Yue, Sun, C.-D. ., & C.-H. (2003). Climate protection and newly industrialized countries: Dilemmas and opportunities in Taiwan. Global Environmental Change, 13(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-3780(02)00086-9
Zaman, Brudermann, R. ., & T. (2018). Energy governance in the context of energy service security: A qualitative assessment of the electricity system in Bangladesh. Applied Energy, 223, 443–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.081
Zhang, Wen, K. -m. ., & Z.-g. (2008). Review and challenges of policies of environmental protection and sustainable development in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 88(4), 1249–1261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.06.019
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 TEC EMPRESARIAL
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
