A Systematic Literature Review of Low-Carbon Technology Innovation: 2013–2022

In the process of low-carbon globalization, low-carbon technological innovation has received increasing attention as a key driver of economic decarbonization and low-carbon transition. Despite the self-evident importance of this field, systematic research has yet to be conducted in depth. In this study, bibliometric tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to search the relevant literature between 2013 and 2022, covering databases such as Elsevier, Springer, Emerald, Wiley, Nature, and Science, and 27,775 articles with top 30% citation rates were collected. The results of the study show that China has maintained its position as a global leader in the field of research. The results of the study show that while China maintains its position as the world's largest carbon emitter, it also has one of the highest numbers of academic papers in the world, revealing the link between carbon emissions and low-carbon technological innovation. The Beijing Institute of Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the International University of Cyprus are the most active institutions in the field, while Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review and Energy Policy are the most cited journals. An analysis of the literature and keywords reveals that the research hotspots in the field include “economic growth”, “financial development” and “economic complexity”, while emerging themes include “Carbon dioxide emissions”, “renewable energy,” and “economic growth.” These trends indicate a growing interest in low-carbon technologies and renewable energy in developing countries. This study not only deepens the understanding of the field, but also provides important guidance for future research.