Energy Transition and Governance: A Systematic Literature Review

The global shift toward a low-carbon economy has intensified scholarly and political attention on the governance of energy transition, which is critical for ensuring equitable, efficient, and sustainable outcomes. Despite the rapid expansion of research in this field, existing studies remain fragmented, with varying emphases on financial, policy, and technological dimensions, limiting the ability to form integrated governance frameworks. This systematic literature review addresses this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on “Energy Transition and Governance” through a rigorous search and selection process. Advanced database searches were conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevance, quality, and novelty. From an initial pool of studies, 25 primary articles were identified for in-depth analysis. The findings were thematically organized into three core domains: (1) Financing, Economic Drivers, and Market Risks in Energy Transition, which explores investment flows, risk mitigation strategies, and the role of economic incentives; (2) Governance, Policy, and Justice in Energy Transition, which examines institutional frameworks, regulatory effectiveness, and equity considerations; and (3) Technological Innovation, ESG, and Data-Driven Solutions, which highlights the integration of emerging technologies, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, and data analytics in accelerating transition goals. The review reveals that while financing mechanisms and technological advances are well-documented, policy coherence, cross-sectoral governance, and equitable justice frameworks remain underdeveloped. This underscores the need for future research to adopt interdisciplinary approaches, bridge policy–technology gaps and enhance governance models that align financial incentives with social equity and environmental integrity. By consolidating evidence across diverse perspectives, this study provides a comprehensive foundation for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers seeking to design effective governance systems for a just and sustainable energy transition.