Emerging research topics on the role of innovation in the green transition in the EU

Research and innovation can fundamentally support the green transition and mobilise collective action for climate. Currently available research reviews under the Green Transition lens focus on specific topics, such as Bioeconomy or advances of solar energy, but an overview of interconnected research related to the green energy transition is missing. This paper aims to contribute to filling this gap through a semi-systematic literature review, which capitalises on a previously developed content-based bibliometric analytical approach and the PRISMA-CIMO schemes. Findings highlight the tendency of certain clustered topics to be investigated together, while other combinations of topics remain underexplored and hold high research potential. Clustering shows that research related to the Sustainable Development Goals is overwhelmingly prevalent, compared to research focused on the EU Green Deal. An abundance of non-technical scientific studies (e.g. related to the economy, society and policy), compared to fewer technical ones (e.g. related to energy, environmental issues and digital technologies), indicates a higher affinity to theoretical analysis rather than evidence-based tangible research. In this paper, we have identified the most prevalent topics related to accelerating or implementing the green transition through innovation in the EU, highlighting also gaps and opportunities for further research.