ESG global trends: A comparative analysis of China and the international community

The global community is increasingly prioritizing environmental sustainability, with numerous enterprises adopting ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies to align their operations with green development. However, the current global research on ESG remains fragmented, marked by disparities and growing tensions among nations. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 4,047 publicly available articles from the Web of Science (WoS) published between 2012 and 2024, utilizing SPSS, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer. Additionally, it incorporates a comparative analysis of 935 articles from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The findings reveal that China and the United States lead significantly in research output, yet their respective stages of ESG research differ markedly. The study also highlights a lack of interdisciplinary linkages in ESG research, with notable homogenization observed within the field. In China, the evolution of ESG-related knowledge has diversified over time, shifting from initial focus areas like investment to broader themes such as fiduciary duty and information disclosure. Given the existing research gaps and insufficient exploration of certain aspects, future studies should put forward practical response strategies to strengthen ESG regulation, and explore more comprehensive assessment methods to improve ESG capabilities.