Monetary Asymmetry and ESG Governance in the Eurozone: Mapping Evolving Risk Narratives Through Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This paper investigates how monetary and ESG-related risks—especially those stemming from asymmetric policy transmission across Eurozone economies—have evolved over time, with a focus on the post-COVID-19 era. Using a mixed-method bibliometric analysis of 216 peer-reviewed articles (1996–2025), it maps thematic developments in monetary governance and sustainability discourse. Findings reveal a post-2020 surge in scholarly engagement, marked by a decisive shift: ESG risks, once peripheral, are now central to discussions of macro-financial stability and institutional resilience. This thematic realignment aligns with major EU regulatory milestones (e.g., SFDR, EU Taxonomy, CSRD), signaling a structural transformation in EU governance. The study concludes that the convergence of monetary asymmetry and ESG integration represents a new frontier in economic policy and academic inquiry, raising critical questions about institutional convergence, regulatory capacity, and sustainability-informed monetary frameworks in post-crisis Europe.