ISO 14001, Carbon Neutrality, and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Environmental Management Systems

ABSTRACT

This study aims to systematically review the ISO 14001 research landscape, examining how environmental management system (EMS) activities and sub‐activities align with carbon neutrality objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A two‐pronged methodology was employed, combining bibliometric analysis with a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guided systematic literature review. A comprehensive search of the Scopus database identified publications from 2015 to 2025. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the intellectual structure of the field, while a qualitative synthesis of 62 relevant articles was performed to extract key themes and practices. The bibliometric results reveal the leading journals, prominent thematic clusters, geographic distribution, and major research topics in ISO 14001 scholarship over the past decade. The systematic review distills the principal ISO 14001‐based EMS activities adopted by organizations and demonstrates their alignment with specific SDGs. To elevate these findings analytically, this study introduces the adaptive decarbonization translation framework (ADTF). This novel model conceptualizes ISO 14001 as a dynamic bridging structure that translates macro‐level socio‐institutional drivers into micro‐level operational decarbonization through an iterative Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA) cycle. Several research gaps are identified, and a future research agenda is proposed. This study offers actionable insights for corporate decision‐makers and policymakers to enhance the implementation of ISO 14001‐based EMSs for decarbonization. The study also provides a robust analytical foundation for future research, demonstrating how standardized environmental management practices can be leveraged in pursuing climate change mitigation and sustainability goals.