A comparative and conceptual intellectual study of environmental topic in economic and finance
通过文献计量方法梳理环境金融和ESG领域的发展脉络，系统比较两者差异，并识别未来研究空白，为学者提供研究方向。
We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and future development of environmental related topics in Economics and Finance. In this regard, Environmental Finance (EF)- and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-related literature is collected and analysed. The paper draws chronical pictures of the topic development in these two recently developed fields by applying bibliometric methods. Then, we provide a novel systemic comparison on their main differences. Reviewing the top journal publications, we identify literature gaps for a future research agenda. In particular, on the one hand, for EF, we suggest exploring various financial innovations to generate environmental benefits research, and thus building up efficient regulatory framework for addressing major regional and/or global environmental issues. On the other hand, for ESG, we respectively provide potential research directions to conduct the cost-benefit study on the real impact of ESG disclosure and to evaluate how ESG investment strategy efficiently deliver sustainable development.