What Truly Matters in Global Energy Policy for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Futures?

Abstract

The accelerating transition toward low-carbon and sustainable energy systems has elevated energy policy as a central force shaping global responses to climate change, energy security, and economic resilience. Despite this growing importance, there remains a critical gap in understanding what truly matters within the evolving landscape of global energy policy and how research trends reflect these priorities. Addressing this gap is essential for identifying the key drivers and strategic directions that influence effective and inclusive energy transitions. This study aims to examine the global evolution of energy policy research and to uncover the themes that most significantly contribute to sustainable and resilient energy futures. The objectives are: (1) to analyse publication trends and the growth trajectory of energy policy research; (2) to identify leading contributors, including countries, institutions, and authors; and (3) to determine dominant and emerging themes that reflect global policy priorities and societal needs. A bibliometric and knowledge mapping approach was employed using data from Scopus and Web of Science databases covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Following data cleaning and deduplication, a total of 3,978 publications were analysed. ScientoPy was used to evaluate research performance and productivity, while VOSviewer was applied to construct co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks to reveal the intellectual structure of the field. The findings indicate a marked acceleration in research output, particularly after 2015, driven by global decarbonization commitments and renewable energy targets. Key themes include energy transition strategies, policy frameworks, renewable integration, energy security, and sustainability governance. Importantly, the research focus has shifted from predominantly technical perspectives toward policy implementation, regulatory mechanisms, and socio-economic considerations, highlighting an increasing emphasis on human and institutional dimensions. A limitation of this study is its reliance on indexed databases, which may exclude relevant regional or non-indexed contributions. Nevertheless, the findings provide valuable insights into the priorities shaping global energy policy. The study underscores the need for coherent policy alignment, adaptive governance frameworks, and integrated strategies that bridge technological innovation with societal engagement. These insights are essential for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to navigate and shape sustainable and resilient energy futures.