Review maps links between geopolitical risk and ESG dynamics

What the study found: The review found growing academic interest in how geopolitical risk affects environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dynamics. It identified five major interdependent themes in the literature: ESG performance, green finance, renewable energy, climate change, and financial stability.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that the findings highlight theoretical, practical, and policy implications for investors, policymakers, corporate managers, and academicians. The study suggests that understanding these links may help guide future research agendas.
What the researchers tested: The researchers conducted a systematic literature review using the PRISMA guideline. They systematically retrieved 71 peer-reviewed articles published up to 2025 from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, then organized the review into a descriptive bibliometric analysis and a thematic synthesis.
What worked and what didn't: The review consolidated and synthesized the existing literature and uncovered emerging themes. It also reports that geopolitical risk has a significant impact on ESG dynamics, while identifying key research gaps and future research directions.
What to keep in mind: The summary available here does not describe the detailed limitations of the review. The findings are based on the 71 articles retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science and on the literature available up to 2025.

Key points

• A systematic review examined literature on geopolitical risk and ESG dynamics.
• The review identified five major themes: ESG performance, green finance, renewable energy, climate change, and financial stability.
• The authors report growing academic interest in the topic and note a significant impact of geopolitical risk on ESG dynamics.
• The study used PRISMA and analyzed 71 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science.
• The authors say the review points to research gaps and future research directions.