<p>The growing global focus on sustainable development has led to a remarkable increase in the volume of literature surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. However, existing studies remain fragmented and lack a comprehensive synthesis. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review of 68 peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases published between 2004 and 2024, integrating bibliometric analysis, thematic analysis, and the theory-context-characteristics-methodology (TCCM) framework. The combination of these methods enables a multi-dimensional mapping of the SDG-ESG research landscape, offering both structural insights and critical thematic interpretations. The analysis reveals a significant uptick in scholarly interest post-2021, alongside a wide range of theoretical perspectives, geographic contexts, and sectoral applications. By identifying research clusters and emergent trends, the study highlights key gaps in theory application, sectoral focus, and methodological diversity. Additionally, the study proposes a future research agenda to advance theoretical development and better align academic inquiry with global sustainability goals. Ultimately, this study bridges the gap between academic research and practical applications, providing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers aiming to drive meaningful progress in the integration of SDGs and ESG practices.</p>