A bibliometric analysis of key drivers, trends, and research collaboration on environmental degradation

This bibliometric analysis explores 1365 research papers on environmental degradation, uncovering key trends and patterns that reflect the growing global focus on sustainability. With an annual publication growth rate exceeding 80%, research in this field has accelerated, particularly around themes like economic growth, renewable energy, and the Environmental Kuznets Curve. We used VOSviewer software and found that economic growth is the most studied area and has a high occurrence in journals like Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR) and Sustainability. Findings reveal how energy consumption, globalization, and urbanization drive carbon emissions, with China, Pakistan, and Turkey leading in research output. Economic growth remains the most frequently studied factor. Through network and co-citation analysis, the study highlights the most influential authors, journals, and keywords, providing a strategic roadmap for future research. This analysis underscores the collaborative global effort shaping environmental policy and economic development, making it an essential resource for scholars and policymakers alike. It helps us to answer relevant questions such as: Will the government increase the allocated budget to the research and development department? Will the government make the regulations strict to reduce the inflow of dirty investments? How can we reduce carbon emissions by utilizing natural resources optimally? Such questions are expected to fuel the future course and direction of environmental research. © The Author(s) 2025.