Analyzing China's sustainable development: A review to address carbon emissions and promoting environment social and governance practices

Abstract

This study aimed to (a) review the literature on the 'China Social Economy' within the Scopus database, (b) explore the relationships between population size, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in China from 1950 to 2021, using data obtained from Our World in Data, and (c) discuss these relationships from the perspectives of social, economic, environmental, and governance (ESG) aspects. Based on the Scopus database, a total of 75 papers with the keyword 'China Social Economy' in the article title were initially identified, which were subsequently narrowed down to 60 items, forming five major clusters of keywords using the VOSviewer (visualization of similarities) software. Two key findings from this study include the positive correlation between population growth and socio-economic progression, as well as the interconnected relationship between population growth, GDP, and CO₂ emissions in the context of ESG in China. In conclusion, this foundational study provides insights into the social, economic, and environmental dynamics within China, contributing to the understanding necessary for achieving sustainable development and effective ESG practices.