The Missing Carbon Dimension in ESG Evaluation Systems under Carbon Neutrality Targets: A Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53469/wjimt.2026.09(05).03Keywords:
Carbon neutrality, ESG, Dual-carbon targets, Bibliometrics, Assessment framework, Low-carbon transitionAbstract
Against the backdrop of global climate governance and China’s dual-carbon targets, carbon neutrality has become a systemic agenda linking energy transition, industrial upgrading, and governance transformation. ESG assessment is increasingly connected with carbon governance, disclosure, and low-carbon transition. However, existing ESG rating systems usually place carbon-related indicators under the environmental pillar, lacking an independent carbon-neutrality perspective and thus limiting their ability to capture firms’ heterogeneous carbon-governance capabilities. Based on a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of Web of Science and CNKI publications, this study finds that research at the ESG–carbon neutrality nexus has shifted from general corporate responsibility assessment toward climate governance and low-carbon transition. Current studies mainly focus on ESG governance and corporate transition, carbon disclosure and capital-market responses, and green finance and resource allocation. Future research should develop carbon-neutrality-oriented ESG assessment frameworks, strengthen the identification of substantive emission-reduction performance, and expand empirical evidence through larger samples and policy-evaluation designs.
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