Energy consumption and environmental degradation nexus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of fossil fuel and renewable energy consumption

• Published in: Ecological informatics Vol. 70; p. 101747
• Main Authors: Kılıç Depren, Serpil, Kartal, Mustafa Tevfik, Çoban Çelikdemir, Neşe, Depren, Özer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Bibliometric analysis; China; energy; Energy consumption; Environmental degradation; Fossil fuel energy; fossil fuels; meta-analysis; Pakistan; Renewable energy; renewable energy sources; systematic review; China; Pakistan; O13; Energy consumption; Renewable energy; P48; Environmental degradation; N50; Y10; Fossil fuel energy; Bibliometric analysis
• ISSN: 1574-9541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101747

This study examines the energy consumption and environmental degradation nexus at a disaggregated (i.e., fossil fuel energy and renewable energy) level by investigating bibliometric indicators on a global scale. For this purpose, the study considers a number of studies published between 1980 and 2021 that were selected on the Web of Science (WoS) database based on relevant keywords. A bibliometric analysis was done through VOSviewer from a comparative perspective. Thus, 17,298 studies on fossil fuel energy consumption & environmental degradation and 62,002 studies on renewable energy consumption & environmental degradation were identified. Bibliometric indicators and network visualizations were used to present the results, which show: (i) the topic of disaggregated energy consumption and environmental degradation has been a problem since 1991; (ii) the number of renewable energy-related studies has exceeded the number of fossil fuel-related studies regarding environmental degradation; (iii) many of the studies in both disaggregated groups fall under the categories of energy fuels, environmental sciences, and green sustainable science technology, respectively; (iv) most of the studies have been published by Elsevier; (v) most of the researchers are from the United States of America (USA), whereas those from China and Pakistan have recently come to the fore. Hence, this study assesses the emerging trends in the literature on the energy consumption and environmental degradation nexus at a disaggregated level. Moreover, potential issues to be included by future studies are suggested. •The study examines nexus between energy consumption and environmental degradation.•The study applies bibliometric analysis at a disaggregated level.•Renewable energy-related studies grow much more than fossil fuel-related studies.•Most of the studies are in energy fuels and environmental sciences categories.•USA is the leading country, whereas China and Pakistan have to the fore recently.