Analysis of research trends on economic growth and environmental degradation: a bibliometric study

ABSTRACT

The effects of environmental degradation on human health and the life of plants and animals have motivated politicians, researchers, and organizations such as the OECD to address this issue. The text adheres to conventional academic structure, using clear and objective language with precise word choice. The language is formal and free from grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. The text maintains a balanced perspective and avoids biased language. No changes in content were made. Abstract: This study examines the research trends on the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. The study employed a quantitative, exploratory methodology and conducted a bibliometric analysis of articles registered in the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 1972 to 2022. The search equations were structured based on the parameters of the international declaration PRISMA. The study considered bibliometric indicators of quality, quantity, and structure. VOSviewer was used to construct and visually present bibliometric networks on the structure and dynamics of the subject under study. The data indicates a noteworthy rise in the quantity of publications and authors examining the applicability of the Kuznets curve to ecological footprint and carbon emissions indicators, which are considered the most significant factors. This suggests an inverted U-shaped correlation between economic growth and environmental degradation. Notably, it underscores the adverse contribution of inadequate natural resource consumption, especially non-renewable energy, to environmental degradation. Overall, these implications underscore the urgency of concerted efforts to address this critical issue.

KEYWORDS:

• Environmental degradation
• PRISMA-2020
• renewable energy
• Scopus
• sustainability
• Web of Science

1. Introduction

In recent years, environmental degradation has become a growing concern worldwide. Economic development is closely linked to the use of resources such as land, water, air, and energy. Misuse or overexploitation of these resources causes pollution. The environment is threatened by CO2 emissions, which are caused by economic growth and contribute negatively to climate change. This has become one of the greatest threats to sustainable development in the 21st century (Adikari et al., 2023; Hunjra et al., 2023). Studies conducted in Vietnam, a country that has experienced significant economic growth over the past three decades with the support of foreign investment, have demonstrated a correlation between economic growth and long-term environmental degradation (Vo, 2021).

The scientific literature indicates that geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing are frequently utilized to investigate urban microclimatic changes and their effects on human health. This is especially evident in several locations in Turkey. The studies concentrate on integrating urban and forest settlement areas in Bartin and assessing biocomfort zones in Muğla, Antalya, Trabzon, Hatay, Mersin, Kastamonu, Bursa, Cide, Burdur, Kahraman-maras, Iskenderun, and Samsun. The investigations analyze the relationships between bioclimatic comfort, land use, and urban planning. Satellite images are used to analyze air quality and project landscape changes for the year 2030 (Zeren Cetin et al., 2020).

This study also examines urbanization models that consider levels of thermal-bioclimatic comfort and analyzes indices such as NDVI-NDBI in relation to land surface temperature in Samsun and Ordu. The study offers a thorough assessment of climate challenges and comfort conditions in both urban and rural areas of Turkey, providing valuable insights for planning decisions. The authors demonstrate the usefulness of advanced tools such as GIS and remote sensing in investigating the relationship between climate change and landscape planning (Zeren Cetin et al., 2023).

On the other hand, agro-industry and mining can cause serious environmental and health problems in the regions where they are practiced. This is due to the excessive use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other polluting substances, as well as the inadequate exploitation of natural resources (MacíMacíAs & García, 2021; Risco et al., 2020).

It is important to consider that demographic growth is one of the factors that contribute to environmental degradation. This growth requires more space for housing construction, expansion of agricultural land for food production, and an increase in transportation vehicles, among other things (Weber & Sciubba, 2019). As economies grow, they consume more conventional energy, resulting in a significant negative impact on the environment due to CO2 emissions (Paramati et al., 2017).

It has been proven that there is a long-term relationship between economic development and energy consumption in Central European countries. This relationship leads to an increase in CO2 emissions, which causes environmental degradation. Therefore, it is advisable to apply differentiated measures for each country to address this issue (Gavryshkiv et al., 2021). In Indonesia, emissions from agriculture, energy use, and urbanization contribute to its economic development but also cause environmental pollution problems. However, the implementation of conservative energy policies could reduce these risks and promote GDP growth (Adebayo et al., 2021). However, the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, causes environmental degradation and generates CO2 emissions due to their high carbon content. Therefore, the implementation of renewable energy sources should be considered as a potential public policy (Aimon et al., 2021).

According to Osuntuyi and Lean (2022), economic growth, energy consumption, and financial development contribute to carbon emissions that pollute the environment. Additionally, lower income levels intensify the generation of CO2. Companies’ pursuit of economic growth has led to worsening environmental pollution, particularly air pollution, through the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2), also known as acid rain. This phenomenon causes the destruction of flora and fauna and an increase in wastewater (Zhang et al., 2023).

Additionally, increased greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources, especially in developed countries. On the other hand, it is advisable to transition towards a green economy by utilizing renewable resources. These resources are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly (Ali et al., 2021). Transportation is a crucial sector in a country’s development. However, in China, there exists a dynamic relationship between transportation, economic growth, and environmental degradation due to high carbon emissions, hindering the achievement of sustainable transportation (Liu et al., 2022). However, due to the complexity of the issue, significant reductions in carbon emissions can be achieved by implementing appropriate policies. For example, a tariff system can be used to provide the population with clean and affordable energy, which combines social equity with environmental sustainability (Papadis & Tsatsaronis, 2020).

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is a popular subject for empirical research, as it helps to identify the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation that can lead to sustainable development. In West Africa, research has shown a correlation between economic development and environmental degradation. This correlation is more pronounced in lower middle-income countries, followed by low-income countries (Jian et al., 2022).

Considering the problems described above, it is convenient for countries to develop environmental policies that protect natural resources and promote the use of renewable energies, which not only contribute to economic development and consequently to the growth of their GDP, but also do not generate CO2 emissions that damage the environmentHpt (Hatmanu & Cautisanu, 2023; Paramati et al., 2017). Researchers concerned about the environmental degradation generated by economic growth have concluded that education is one of the factors that is very little considered, despite its great potential to promote attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles that are favorable to the environment and in its support for the application of green technologies. Education can play a moderating role by motivating people to use energy more efficiently (Osuntuyi & Lean, 2022).

Research on economic growth and its impact on environmental degradation has received considerable attention in the scientific literature. However, despite the existing studies, there are still important research gaps that warrant a comprehensive bibliometric review. One of the most important gaps is the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between economic growth, globalization and environmental degradation in the major globalized economies. While studies such as Wei Min et al. (2022) have examined the impact of globalization on environmental sustainability, a broader and comparative approach is necessary to evaluate the existence of the sustainable economic growth hypothesis.

Additionally, further research is needed on the role of emerging economies in economic growth and environmental degradation. Although Naseem et al. (2021) analyzed the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in BRICS countries, further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the specific dynamics of these economies in the context of sustainable development. Additionally, there is a lack of research addressing the asymmetric effects of militarization on economic growth and environmental degradation. Although (Ullah et al., 2020) conducted a study in Pakistan and India, it is essential to consider other geographical contexts and to analyze in more detail how military expenditures can differentially affect the environment and economic development.

At the same time, there is a need to examine the role of globalization in environmental degradation, given the link between energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emissions. While Wen et al. (2021) has addressed this issue to some extent, further investigation is necessary to understand the impact of globalization processes on energy consumption patterns and the environment.

The relationship between environmental degradation and economic development is complex, partly due to disciplinary biases between environmentalists and economists. There are attempts in different regions to use the Kuznets curve to examine the relationship between economic growth and environmental quality. The curve claims that in the long run, as economies grow, environmental damage decreases. However, this situation is not favorable in most countries worldwide (S. H. Ali & Oliveira, 2018). Research has been conducted in the EU-28 countries to investigate the relationship between environmental pollution and economic growth. The study examined the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) between the 1990s and 2014, using primary energy consumption as a variable (Armeanu et al., 2018).

Academic research lacks review studies that unify and analyze the current state of the topic. This justifies the implementation of a bibliometric research project to identify research trends in the scientific literature on environmental degradation generated by economic growth. The following questions will be addressed:

• What are the years of greatest interest in environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

• What type of growth does the number of scientific articles on environmental degradation due to economic growth represent?

• What are the main research references on environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

• What is the thematic evolution derived from the scientific production on environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

• What are the main clusters of international scientific associativity in research on environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

• What are the main thematic clusters on environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

• What are the growing and emerging keywords in the field of research on environmental degradation caused by economic growth?

This methodological design is notable for its innovative approach to addressing the complex relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. It employs a rigorous bibliometric approach using tools such as keyword co-occurrence analysis, which is a robust quantitative method that goes beyond conventional literature reviews. This method provides a comprehensive view of scientific production at the intersection of economics and the environment. It also identifies significant thematic patterns and clusters. The quality and comprehensiveness of the study is enhanced by the application of the PRISMA statement criteria for literature reviews, which ensures an accurate selection of bibliographic evidence. This study contributes to the field by expanding the current understanding of research trends and setting an innovative standard for researching and analyzing the academic literature on the environmental impacts of economic growth.

2. Materials and methods

Based on the objective of the research, a quantitative methodology is proposed, exploratory in nature and based on secondary sources of information, based on a bibliometric analysis, as a tool that allows the evaluation of scientific activity in terms of impact and productivity of authors, journals and countries (Durieux & Gevenois, 2010), in this case on the literature related to environmental degradation caused by economic growth. Likewise, with the purpose of increasing the criteria of rigor of the research, the criteria of the PRISMA statement for literature reviews are followed, as evidenced in (Page et al., 2021), so the following aspects are taken into account:

2.1. Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria, as described in (Page et al., 2021), outline the inclusion and exclusion aspects of the literature review. Therefore, all articles that have the combination of “economic growth” and its validated synonyms in their title, according to the UNESCO thesaurus, as well as ‘environmental degradation’ and its equivalent terms in information search, according to the same international thesaurus, are included.

The PRISMA declaration outlines three phases of exclusion, in addition to removing duplicate documents. The first phase involves excluding all documents that do not relate to the research subject based on the information contained in the title. The second phase involves removing all documents that do not contain the full text. However, this phase is not applicable to bibliometric analysis since it only analyzes metadata. In contrast, systematic literature reviews examine the entire scientific content (Royle et al., 2013). Finally, conference proceedings are excluded because they may not meet the required methodological rigor. Additionally, indexing errors or incomplete indexing can limit the accuracy of bibliometric analysis.

2.2. Sources of information

To search for scientific articles on the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth, researchers typically turn to databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. These databases provide metadata on scientific activity, thematic coverage, and review processes that meet high quality standards. Zhu and Liu (2020) describe the use of these databases in their research.

2.3. Search strategy

Subsequently, two specialized search equations were carried out for both databases. The equations took into account the inclusion criteria defined at the beginning of the methodological design and the characteristics inherent to the search interface of each database. The equations were not modified in structure, but responded to different typologies in relation to the metadata studied. The following equations were used:

For Scopus: Use the search string TITLE(“economic growth’ OR ‘growing economy’ OR ‘economic development’ OR ‘economic expansion’ OR ‘economic progress’) AND TITLE(‘environmental degradation’ OR ‘environmental deterioration’ OR ‘environmental damage’ OR ‘environmental destruction”).

For Web of Science: TI= (“Economic growth’ OR ‘Growing economy’ OR ‘Economic development’ OR ‘Economic expansion’ OR ‘Economic progress’) AND TI= (‘Environmental degradation’ OR ‘Environmental deterioration’ OR ‘Environmental damage’ OR ‘Environmental destruction”).

2.4. Data management

The use of both databases enabled us to discover 234 articles that discuss the correlation between environmental degradation and economic growth in their titles. Of these, 138 were found in the Scopus database and the remaining 96 were found in the Web of Science database. The articles were published between 1972 and 2022, which is the year when the data extraction was conducted. The 234 documents were extracted, stored, and processed using Microsoft Excel®. This tool was used to unify the data format, eliminate duplicate records, and apply the defined exclusion criteria. The same tool was also used to create the graphs. Additionally, the free access software VOSviewer was used to create indicators that allowed for observation of elements of productivity, impact, and scientific collaboration.

2.5. Selection process

In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement by Page et al. (2021), it is crucial to disclose the use of an internal automatic classifier during the study selection process. Additionally, it is important to conduct internal or external validations to evaluate the risk of losing relevant studies or misclassifications. In this study, we utilized automation tools based on Microsoft Excel® as an internal instrument. The classifier was collaboratively developed by all researchers involved in the study. Each researcher used the tool independently to apply inclusion and exclusion criteria. This approach was adopted to mitigate the risk of omitting relevant studies or making incorrect classifications by converging independently obtained results.

2.6. Data collection process

This bibliometric study follows the guidelines of Page et al. (2021) and details the methods used to analyze the association between economic growth and environmental deterioration. Data collection was facilitated by Microsoft Excel® as an automated tool, which processed reports from the two selected databases. It is important to note that each author of this work independently reviewed and validated the data. Data validation was performed collectively through an iterative process until achieving absolute convergence in the results.

2.7. Data elements

This bibliometric research examines the relationship between economic growth and environmental deterioration. Specific criteria were applied to search for data, prioritizing articles that align with the research objective of addressing the issue of environmental deterioration caused by economic growth. Specialized search equations were implemented for each database to collect exhaustive and relevant information. However, any texts that were found to have missing or unclear information were excluded from the study as ‘not relevant’. This measure was taken to maintain coherence with the research’s purpose and scope, ensuring the consistency and robustness of the results obtained.

2.8. Study risk of bias assessment

This bibliometric research focuses on environmental deterioration caused by economic growth. The study places special emphasis on assessing the risk of bias in the included studies. The data collection process and subsequent risk of bias assessment were carried out comprehensively by all authors involved in the study. The evaluation was conducted independently and systematically using an internally designed Microsoft Excel® tool. The tool was selected for its versatility and capacity to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the methodological quality of the studies included.

2.9. Measures of effects

This bibliometric research examines the relationship between economic growth and environmental deterioration. To ensure clarity, it is important to specify the effect measures used in synthesizing and presenting the results. While primary research commonly uses measures such as risk ratio or mean difference, this study, based on secondary research sources, takes a different approach. The evaluation focuses on bibliometric analysis using various metrics, such as publication and citation counts, temporal keyword usage, and identification of thematic nodes. This analysis is conducted using specific tools, such as Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer®, which provide a solid and relevant methodological framework for bibliometric research.

2.10. Synthesis methods

In this bibliometric research on environmental deterioration caused by economic growth, it is important to describe the processes used to determine the eligibility of studies in each synthesis phase. This involves tabulating study intervention characteristics and comparing them to the groups planned for each synthesis. Additionally, the methods used to prepare the data are detailed, addressing issues such as handling missing summary statistics or data conversions. The text describes the method used to tabulate or display the results of individual studies and syntheses. Bibliometric indicators of quantity, quality, and structure were incorporated, as proposed by Durieux and Gevenois (2010). These indicators were applied automatically using Microsoft Excel® to all documents that passed the three exclusion phases, ensuring the coherence and validity of the bibliometric synthesis.

2.11. Assessment of reporting bias

This bibliometric research aims to transparently present the methods used to evaluate the risk of bias resulting from the lack of results in the synthesis regarding environmental deterioration caused by economic growth. It is important to note that this study may be biased towards certain synonyms found in thesauri, such as the IEEE, which is reflected in the inclusion criteria, search strategy, and data collection. Therefore, limiting the identification of relevant studies and excluding conference proceedings and texts deemed less relevant may result in valuable information being omitted from the bibliometric synthesis, potentially creating bias. It is important to consider all available information to obtain a comprehensive perspective on the topic. Therefore, limiting the identification of relevant studies and excluding conference proceedings and texts deemed less relevant may result in valuable information being omitted from the bibliometric synthesis, potentially creating bias.

2.12. Certainty assessment

In this bibliometric research on environmental deterioration caused by economic growth, it is important to describe the method used to evaluate the certainty in the body of evidence for each result. Unlike primary studies that evaluate certainty individually, this research conducts a general evaluation of certainty. This approach involves applying inclusion and exclusion criteria independently, defining bibliometric indicators, and identifying potential biases as outlined in the methodological design. Additionally, the text critically addresses certainty by acknowledging the limitations of the study during the discussion phase. The statement provides a comprehensive view of the degree of confidence in the obtained results and ensures transparency in the interpretation of bibliometric evidence (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. PRISMA flow chart. Source: own work based on Scopus and Web of Science.

PRISMA flow chart depicting the methodology.

The figure displays the initial identification phase, which is typical of the implementation of the search strategy for both databases, as well as the elimination of duplicate documents. It then illustrates the three exclusion phases and the final number of documents that will undergo bibliometric analysis.

3. Results

Based on Figure 2, the scientific literature contains articles that analyze the relationship between economic growth and its impact on the environment from 1972 to 2022. In 2021, 40 articles were published on this topic, exploring various approaches, including the effects of natural resources, human capital, and economic growth on environmental footprint and carbon emissions (L. Zhang et al., 2021).

Figure 2. Publications by year. Source: own work based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Graph showing the number of publications over the years.

In 2019, 23 articles were registered on the topic, including some that examine the impact of environmental degradation, institutional quality, and macroeconomics in health using panel data from 45 African countries for the period 1995–2015 (Dhrifi, 2019), and others that explore the relationship between economic growth, environmental degradation, and technological change of economies and technological recovery (Halkos & Bampatsou, 2019).

Based on the observations in Figure 3, Angelo Antoci has the most publications on the subject with a total of 4. Antoci carefully analyzed the dynamics of economic growth and highlighted that the well-being of economic agents depends on three goods: recreation, freely available environmental goods, and private goods that can be consumed as substitutes for environmental resources (Antoci, 2009).

Figure 3. Publications by author. Source: author’s elaboration based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Chart illustrating the distribution of publications by author.

Siok Kun Sek is the second most productive author in terms of the number of publications, with four articles. Recently, Sek investigated the relationship between energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental degradation in a group of 25 selected European Union (EU) countries from 2000 to 2019 (Nordin & Sek, 2022). Additionally, Sek examined the relationship between energy consumption, environmental degradation, and economic growth for high- and middle-income countries using spatial and non-spatial panel regression based on raw data (Nordin & Sek, 2019).

Figure 4 shows that Environmental Science and Pollution Research is the top journal for publishing studies on the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. The journal has published 22 interdisciplinary articles on this topic. Some of these studies have used five-year causal and nonlinear distributed delay (NARDL) techniques to investigate the asymmetric impact of economic growth and energy on environmental degradation in Somalia from 1985 to 2017 (Warsame & Sarkodie, 2022).

The International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy is the second most prolific publisher on the topic, with nine current publications. Its focus is on demonstrating the effect of environmental degradation on economic growth in an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) scenario. Prasetyanto (2021) examines the effects of primary energy consumption, income inequality, educational attainment, and environmental degradation on sustainable development in Indonesia. The study utilizes a U-shaped model to analyze these factors.

Figure 4. Publications by journal. Source: own elaboration based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Diagram displaying the distribution of publications by journal.

Figure 5 shows that Pakistan has the highest scientific productivity with 16 articles on the topic. The studies quantify the validity of the Kuznets environmental curve for two different environmental indicators, Ecological Footprint and Carbon Emissions, for seventeen selected countries in West Asia (Shah et al., 2021).

China ranks second in terms of number of publications. The country has published 12 articles investigating the relationship between financial leverage, economic growth, and environmental degradation in China using the Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR) method of the generalized method with data from 30 provinces in China between 1997 and 2016 (Zhao et al., 2020).

Figure 5. Publications by country. Publications by country. Source: author’s calculations based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Map presenting the distribution of publications by country.

Based on the observations in Figure 6, the authors with the highest impact are David I. Stern, Michael S. Common, and Edward B. Barbier. Their publication with 965 citations includes their most cited article, which critically examines the concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). The article suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and per capita income, indicating that economic growth ultimately reduces the environmental impact of economic activity (Stern et al., 1996).

Muhammad Shahbaz is the second most cited author on this topic, with 437 citations in three publications. His most cited article aims to explore the relationship between economic growth, electricity consumption, urbanization, and environmental degradation in the case of the United Arab Emirates (Shahbaz et al., 2014).

Figure 6. Citations by author. Source: own work based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Graph showing the number of citations by author.

According to Figure 7, World Development has 965 citations. Their publication proposes an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and per capita income, suggesting that growth ultimately reduces the environmental impact of economic activity (Stern et al., 1996).

Energy Policy is the second most cited journal with 661 citations. Its most cited publications focus on exploring the dynamic causal relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, renewable electricity consumption, non-renewable electricity consumption, and economic growth in Algeria using distributed lag integration autoregressive over the period 1980–2012 (Bélaïd & Youssef, 2017).

Figure 7. Citations by journal. Source: author’s calculations based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Chart depicting the distribution of citations by journal.

Figure 8 presents the top ten countries with the greatest impact on the topic, according to quality indicators by country. Australia is the most cited country with 1,155 citations. Its most cited publications are based on the study of the impact of electricity consumption, economic growth, and globalization on carbon dioxide emissions in the top 10 electricity-consuming countries (Rahman, 2020).

Tunisia ranked second with 562 citations. Their most cited publication focused on developing an experimental model to investigate the causal relationship between renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, GDP, and carbon emissions. The study used a panel of 9 Mediterranean countries between 1980 and 2014 (Belaïd & Zrelli, 2019).

Figure 8. Citations by country. Source: author’s calculations based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Map illustrating the distribution of citations by country.

Figure 9 displays the progression of environmental degradation issues resulting from economic growth. The chart indicates that negotiable pollution permits were the most significant concern in 1994. From 2007 to 2009, undesirable economic growth was considered relevant, along with CO2 emissions in 2015, 2018, and 2022. Other issues that were in effect for two years were Globalization, Energy Consumption, and Urbanization. All of these issues are currently being addressed with great interest.

The concept of ‘tradable pollution permits’ played a crucial role in the early years of research on economic growth and its impact on the environment. In their study titled ‘Economic Growth With Environmental Damage and Technical Progress’, published in the journal Environmental Resource Economics, Eismont (1994) made a major contribution to this approach. At the time, this approach focused on using tradable pollution permits as a tool to address environmental problems associated with economic growth. This perspective spurred discussion on pollution regulation and control by allowing industries to trade pollution permits. As research progressed, other important dimensions of economic growth and its relationship to the environment were explored, such as energy consumption, urbanization, and CO2 emissions. These recent developments have greatly enhanced our understanding of the field, offering a more comprehensive perspective to tackle present-day environmental issues.

In 2019 and 2020, research focused on the concept of energy consumption and its impact on the environment in relation to economic growth. Two studies that significantly contributed to this thematic line were conducted by Ozcan and Tzeremes (2020) in the article ‘Energy Consumption, Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation in OECD Countries’ and by Raza et al. (2019) in the article ‘Time Frequency Relationship Between Energy Consumption, Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation in the United States: Evidence from the Transportation Sector’. These studies highlight the complex relationship between energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental degradation. They provide empirical evidence of how economic expansion can be associated with increased use of energy resources and pollutant emissions. These findings underscore the importance of considering sustainable strategies to address the environmental impacts of economic growth, especially in the context of growing awareness of the climate crisis.

In 2021, the research topic on economic growth and environmental degradation focused on the concept of urbanization. Two relevant studies in this area were conducted: [46] published an article titled ‘Linking Economic Growth, Urbanization, and Environmental Degradation in China: What Is the Role of Hydroelectricity Consumption?’ and (Chu et al., 2021) published ‘Factors of Environmental Degradation and Economic Growth in Vietnam: The Role of Innovation’. These studies investigate the impact of urbanization and economic growth on the environment. Accelerated urbanization can lead to increased consumption of natural resources, greater pollution, habitat loss, and changes in local ecosystems. Therefore, sustainable urban development policies are necessary to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

In 2022, the research topic focused mainly on the concept of CO2 emissions. Two relevant studies that addressed this issue are those carried out by Tang (Tang, 2022) in ‘Combing Effects Of Economic Development and Globalization Towards Energy Efficiency And Environmental Degradation: Fresh Analysis From Energy Efficient Resources’ and by Magazzino et al. (2022) in ‘Renewable Energy Consumption, Environmental Degradation and Economic Growth: The Greener the Richer?’ These studies analyzed the relationship between economic development, globalization, and CO2 emissions. The findings suggest that while economic growth and globalization can promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, they can also lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. These findings emphasize the significance of implementing policies that encourage the use of clean energy and the reduction of carbon emissions as a fundamental aspect of the agenda to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly economic growth.

Figure 9. Thematic evolution. Source: author’s calculations based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Graph representing the thematic evolution of the research.

4. Discussion

The bibliometric analysis of research trends related to economic growth and environmental degradation has provided a broad and deep understanding of the keyword co-occurrence network. Several significant thematic clusters have been identified, as can be seen in Figure 10, including the green cluster, which is composed of terms such as ‘energy consumption’, ‘ekc hypothesis’, and ‘carbon emissions’.

In the field of energy consumption, two notable works to cite are those of Isik et al. (2019) and Saboori and Sulaiman (2013). Isik and colleagues offer valuable evidence supporting the EKC hypothesis at the state level in the United States, regarding the relationship between economic growth/development and environmental degradation. Their research sheds light on how certain economies may experience an initial period of environmental degradation due to the increase in energy consumption associated with economic growth. However, once a certain level of development is reached, these economies may observe an improvement in environmental conditions.

Saboori and Sulaiman (2013) provide evidence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve in Malaysia. They analyze the interaction between environmental degradation, economic growth, and energy consumption. Their results suggest that as the Malaysian economy developed, carbon emissions and energy consumption also increased. However, in later stages of economic development, it is expected that these trends will reverse, and the economy will reach a tipping point where economic growth is associated with reduced carbon emissions and increased energy efficiency.

The work of Gulistan et al. (2020) is fundamental to understanding the complex dynamics that exist between economic growth, energy, trade openness, tourism, and environmental degradation on a global scale. This research presents a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between variables in various economic and geographic contexts. The study’s results contribute to the ongoing discussion on the correlation between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the findings provide insights into the development of more effective economic and environmental policies to tackle current and future challenges.

The study by Nasir et al. (2021) addresses the issue of carbon emissions and analyzes their relationship with environmental degradation, financialization, economic development, industrialization, and trade liberalization. The results provide insight into how these economic variables can affect the intensity of carbon emissions in various countries and regions. The research emphasizes the significance of implementing suitable policies and strategies to tackle climate change and environmental degradation, particularly in a context of rapid economic growth and changes in the structure of the global economy.

The second main cluster, highlighted in blue, groups relevant keywords such as ‘CO2 emissions’, ‘panel data’, ‘renewable energy’, ‘GDP’ (Gross Domestic Product), and ‘sustainable development’. To explore this cluster further, two relevant studies are highlighted that provide important perspectives on the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth in the context of Asian countries.

Azam (2016) analyzed the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth in 11 Asian countries using panel data analysis. The study investigates the impact of CO2 emissions on the economy and vice versa. The study’s results offer valuable insights into the intricate relationship between environmental degradation and economic development in Asia. This information can be crucial in formulating policies that promote sustainable growth and mitigate climate change.

In contrast, Rahman (2020) examines the impact of electricity consumption, economic growth, and globalization on environmental degradation. The research, based on panel data, investigates the impact of variables on the natural environment and sustainable development. The study’s findings offer valuable insight into the intricate connections between energy use, economic growth, and environmental challenges. This information can aid informed decision-making in energy and environmental policy.

These two papers make significant contributions to the understanding of the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth in the Asian context. They provide valuable empirical evidence to inform the discussion on how to balance economic development and environmental sustainability in the region.

Figure 10. Keyword co-occurrence network. Fuente: elaboración propia a partir de Scopus y Web of Science.

Network diagram showing keyword co-occurrence.

In the bibliometric results section on research trends in economic growth and environmental degradation, the Cartesian plane displays quadrant 4, which indicates concepts that have experienced a decline or less use in recent years compared to previous periods (see Figure 11).

This quadrant contains three keywords: Muhammad et al. (2021) conducted a study on the impact of foreign direct investment, natural resources, renewable energy consumption, and economic growth on environmental degradation. The study focused on the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. As environmental concerns have increased, the emphasis on energy consumption as a means of achieving economic growth has decreased. Previous research, such as the study conducted by Mohsin et al. (2019), examined the correlation between energy consumption, economic development, and population growth in the transportation sector. However, in recent years, this approach has become less relevant compared to other dimensions of sustainable development.

Previous studies, such as Baloch et al. (2018), have explored the relationship between income inequality, economic growth, and environmental degradation, specifically in the context of Pakistan. However, there appears to be a recent shift in research focus away from CO2 emissions as the primary variable in investigating the environmental impact of economic growth. Research such as (Bélaïd & Youssef, 2017) has addressed broader issues related to the consumption of renewable and non-renewable energy and its relationship with economic development and environmental degradation, rather than solely focusing on carbon emissions.

Previous studies have analyzed the ‘Environmental Kuznets Curve’ (EKC), such as the study by Shahbaz et al. (2014). This study investigated the relationship between economic growth, electricity consumption, urbanization, and environmental degradation in the United Arab Emirates. However, interest in this theory appears to have decreased in recent years compared to other approaches that address the relationships between economic growth and environmental impacts as a whole. In a study conducted by Almeida et al. (2017), a composite index of environmental degradation was used to analyze the relationship between economic growth and total environmental impact, indicating a shift in research focus.

Quadrant 2 of the Cartesian plane comprises emerging concepts in the scientific field regarding economic growth and environmental degradation. The three key terms highlighted are Nardl, Fdi, and Nigeria. These concepts have gained importance and are expected to play a relevant role in future research on the topic.

The Nardl concept, representing the dynamic non-linear autoregressive regression model, has been the subject of study in various investigations (Warsame & Sarkodie, 2022). conducted a study in Somalia to examine the asymmetric impact of energy use and economic development on environmental degradation. The study utilized a model that allows for the analysis of non-linear relationships between variables, providing a deeper understanding of how changes in energy use affect the environment in specific contexts.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a relevant concept in research on economic growth and environmental degradation. In Vietnam, Vo (2021) conducted a study that examined the relationship between FDI, economic growth, and environmental degradation since the ‘Economic Renewal’ of 1986. FDI can play a crucial role in economic development, but it is also necessary to understand how it affects the natural environment and what measures can be taken to achieve sustainable growth.

Nigeria has been the subject of research on economic growth and the environment. In a recent study, Musibau et al. (2021) used the nonlinear ARDL model to examine the relationship between environmental degradation, energy consumption, and economic growth in Nigeria. Given Nigeria’s growing economy and high dependence on natural resources, it is crucial to understand how changes in energy consumption can affect its sustainable development.

Quadrant 1 of the Cartesian plane displays the growing, leading, and consolidated concepts in the field of research on economic growth and environmental degradation. One of the concepts highlighted in this quadrant is urbanization. Urbanization has become a highly relevant topic in current scientific research and is expected to play a fundamental role in the study of the interactions between economic growth and environmental impacts in the near future.

Several studies have investigated the relationship between urbanization, economic growth, and environmental degradation. For instance, M. Ali et al. (2020) conducted a study in European countries that examined the evidence on environmental degradation, economic growth, and energy innovation. Urbanization is a phenomenon that involves the growth of urban areas and the concentration of population in cities. It can significantly impact energy consumption, natural resource use, and pollutant emissions. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how urbanization affects environmental sustainability both now and in the future.

Transportation is a crucial aspect of urbanization, and its relationship with economic growth and environmental degradation has been extensively researched. Shafique et al. (2021) conducted a study using an ARDL panel approach to examine this relationship. Urban transportation can have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and land use planning in urban areas, highlighting the importance of adequately addressing the environmental and economic impacts of urbanization and transportation.

Figure 11. Validity and frequency of keywords: Author's work based on Scopus and Web of Science.

Chart illustrating the validity and frequency of keywords.

The practical implications of this bibliometric study are significant for various stakeholders, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, and citizens. The exponential growth of scientific production indicates an increasing interest in the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. These findings can inform sustainable development strategies for businesses and governments, promoting the integration of more environmentally friendly practices. The identification of emerging themes, such as urbanization and CO2, highlights the need for specific approaches to address environmental challenges in urban areas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

From a policy perspective, these findings emphasize the urgency of adopting sound environmental policies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation. When devising strategies to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of economic development, policymakers should take into account the evidence presented here. The identification of leading research countries, such as Pakistan and Australia, highlights the significance of sharing best practices and collaborating internationally to tackle environmental challenges on a global scale.

Future research can explore emerging areas such as nonlinear autoregressive dynamics and the role of foreign direct investment in environmental degradation. Researchers from different fields can collaborate on interdisciplinary studies to address sustainability issues and provide guidance for future development initiatives.

These findings provide valuable guidance for various stakeholders, including academics, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Academics can concentrate their research on emerging topics and explore new methodologies, while companies can adopt more sustainable practices based on the presented evidence. These findings can be used by policymakers to develop strategies that promote a harmonious balance between economic growth and environmental preservation, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.

5. Conclusions

The bibliometric analysis of research trends on economic growth and its impact on environmental degradation reveals significant findings. The year 2021 stands out as a period of great interest in this field, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of addressing this problem. Additionally, scientific production on this topic has experienced exponential growth, demonstrating the growing commitment of the scientific community to research in this area.

The authors identified key research references, including Antoci and Sek, as well as Stern, Common, and Barbier, who have made significant contributions to the scientific literature. Additionally, Environmental Science and Pollution Research and World Development journals have played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge in this field. At the country level, Pakistan has a high number of publications, while Australia stands out for its notable number of citations, making them leaders in this field of study.

The thematic evolution of scientific production has undergone remarkable changes. At the outset of scientific research on this topic, the focus was primarily on tradable pollution permits. However, there has been a recent shift towards more pressing and contemporary issues, such as urbanization and CO2 emissions, indicating a greater concern for the environmental impact of economic growth.

The identification of the main thematic clusters, such as energy consumption, the EKC hypothesis, and carbon emissions, highlights a significant conceptual affinity in the scientific literature. Similarly, emerging keywords like NARDL, FDI, and Nigeria suggest new directions for future research and enrichment of the field of study. In this sense, the importance of delving into consolidated concepts, such as urbanization, is emphasized in order to move towards a more comprehensive and inclusive research agenda.

Taken together, these findings provide a comprehensive and up-to-date view of research trends on economic growth and its environmental impacts. The exponential growth of scientific production, identification of key references, thematic evolution, and conceptual clusters, as well as the emergence of emerging keywords, provide a solid basis for designing future research that will effectively address this pertinent global problem.

In conclusion, this article’s implications provide a strong foundation for various stakeholders, including policymakers, the business community, and society at large. The exponential growth in scientific production demonstrates a growing interest and widespread awareness of the critical relationship between economic development and environmental degradation. These findings have practical and policy implications. They guide sustainable development strategies for businesses and governments and highlight the need for strong environmental policies and international collaboration. The suggested future directions encourage further exploration of emerging topics and the adoption of sustainable practices.

Finally, this comprehensive bibliometric review reveals the evolution of research on the impact of economic growth on environmental degradation. The results are critical to aca-demia and environmental policies. The analysis of scientific production provides valuable insight into current research concerns, such as urbanization and CO2 emissions. Identifying prominent figures, leading journals, and influential countries in this field creates a solid framework for future research. The evolution of the theme, from the initial focus on ‘negotiable pollution permits’ to the current focus on the complex relationship between economic growth, urbanization, and CO2 emissions, demonstrates the adaptability and breadth of this field of study. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between economic development and environmental sustainability. They provide a valuable foundation for policy formulation that aims to harmonize economic growth with environmental conservation. This study contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge and serves as a guide for future research and actions aimed at addressing environmental challenges in the context of economic growth.

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The data may be provided free of charge to interested readers by requesting the correspondence author’s email.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.