The Green New Deal as a Pathway for Climate and Social Justice

The Green New Deal (GND) represents a multifaceted strategy aimed at addressing climate change and promoting social justice. Over the years, scholarly interest in climate action has surged, with substantial literature on the GND emerging even before its formal adoption in the U.S. in 2019. This chapter utilizes data from a bibliometric analysis to navigate the extensive body of work on the GND, providing a comprehensive overview of research trends and thematic focus areas from 1995 to 2021. The analysis highlights three significant periods, each marked by unique developments in the discourse on sustainability, economic growth, and climate policy. From 1995 to 2014, key terminologies such as climate change, sustainability, and green growth were central to academic discussions. The period from 2015 to 2019 saw a significant increase in literature, influenced by global initiatives like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified research on the GND, with new terms such as green recovery and energy transition gaining prominence from 2020 to 2021. The chapter underscores the GND's potential to drive climate justice through three key dimensions: addressing historical injustices, promoting equitable solutions, and linking global climate action with local struggles. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive decision-making, reskilling and upskilling workers, and fostering international cooperation to achieve a sustainable and just transition. The bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights for researchers and policymakers to craft effective and contextually appropriate GND models, ultimately contributing to the global effort to combat climate change and promote social equity.