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Systematic Review

Green Research Perspectives in the Visegrád Group: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for the Energy Sector

by
Łukasz Jarosław Kozar
1,*,
Adam Sulich
2,* and
Lumír Kulhánek
3
1
Department of Labour and Social Policy, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, ul. Rewolucji 1905 r. nr 37, 90-214 Lodz, Poland
2
Department of Advanced Research in Management, Faculty of Business Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
3
Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, VŠB—Technical University of Ostrava, 33 Sokolská Str., 702-00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2025, 18(23), 6142; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236142
Submission received: 16 October 2025 / Revised: 13 November 2025 / Accepted: 18 November 2025 / Published: 24 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Economics, Finance and Policy Towards Sustainable Energy: 2nd Edition)
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Abstract

This article presents the findings of a literature review and an empirical bibliometric analysis aimed at identifying green research perspectives within the energy sector of the Visegrád Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). These perspectives reflect key scientific directions related to Sustainable Development (SD), environmental protection, and social responsibility. In this context, the theoretical principles of SD are translated into practical strategies, innovations, and solutions that support long-term economic growth while respecting ecological limits and social needs. Such themes frequently appear as dominant keywords in academic publications, underscoring their growing importance in energy research. The study pursued two main and complementary research objectives. The first was to identify green research perspectives prevalent within the energy sector of the Visegrád region. The second was to determine whether, and how, existing scientific publications address the topic of green jobs in this specific regional and sectoral context. The analysis led to the classification of five thematic categories: (1) green economy and finance, (2) green policies and strategies, (3) green energy and its sources, (4) green technology, and (5) green transport. These areas, when examined collectively, reveal important synergies that could support the creation of green jobs. Among the publications analyzed, green energy emerged as the most frequently addressed topic. However, the study found a lack of direct focus on green jobs, indicating that this subject—arising from the intersection of several research areas—represents a promising direction for future studies. In addition to these five categories, the study also identified several emerging green research directions within the Visegrád energy sector. These include: the development of green hydrogen technologies, the greening of the gas sector, the integration of prosumers into energy systems, the societal and political acceptance of nuclear energy, the role of green public transport in accelerating the energy transition, and the formulation of just transition policies. These themes highlight both technological opportunities and socio-political challenges that must be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive green transformation in the region.

1. Introduction

The Visegrád Group—a formal regional cooperation platform comprising Czechia (hereafter referred to as the short-form name of the Czech Republic), Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—stands at a unique crossroads in contemporary history [1]. United by a shared historical and cultural legacy, these countries have undergone distinct economic and socio-political transformations since the end of the Cold War [2,3]. Although commonly classified as post-communist states, their developmental trajectories vary significantly [4]. A key research question arises: to what extent have their socio-economic structures evolved, and what are the prospects for the development of green and renewable energy technologies in the region’s energy sector? Currently, these countries face both significant challenges and opportunities related to Sustainable Development (SD) and the transition toward a green economy [5,6]. The global shift towards SD has prompted decision-makers shaping development policies in various countries to consider alternative energy sources and eco-friendly employment opportunities [7]. The Visegrád Group countries have pursued different pathways to achieve clean energy goals, engaging in nuclear power to varying degrees [5,8,9].
This article presents the results of empirical research focused on identifying green research perspectives within the energy sector in the Visegrád Group countries. This paper critically examines the development of the energy sector within these economies and the resulting emergence and growth of green research perspectives. In this article, the energy sector is examined because it is regarded as a strategic component of the economy, with significant influence on interconnected sectors [10,11].
This article aims to provide a roadmap for future sustainable economic growth in the region, emphasizing the nexus between renewable energy development and the creation of green jobs [12,13]. Such jobs are variously named and defined by different researchers and scholars [14,15,16]. Nevertheless, most researchers recognize that green jobs are created because of the green transition of individual economic sectors that is taking place [17,18]. Green jobs are also recognized as the part of the social dimension of the energy security and social security provided by the energy sectors in the Visegrád Group countries.
An important linkage can be discerned between the advent of green jobs opportunities and the evolution of the energy sector [19,20]. This correlation is not just about job creation but also represents a strategic direction towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future [20]. Green jobs opportunities in renewable energy not only signify economic growth but also reflect a nation’s commitment to SD and ecological preservation [15]. The development of these sectors can offer a dual benefit of curbing environmental degradation while spurring economic growth, making it an imperative discourse for the Visegrád Group nations [17,21]. Green jobs arise from investments in green technologies across various sectors of the economy; however, the energy sector is the decisive factor [22].
In light of the considerations presented in this introduction, this paper delves deeply into understanding the prospects and challenges of renewable energy development in the Visegrád Group nations, the emerging landscape of green transformation. The article outlines two equivalent research objectives. The first aim of this paper is to identify green research perspectives in the energy sector in the Visegrád Group. The second goal is to evaluate whether existing scientific publications covering the energy sector and the Visegrád Group appropriately address green job issues, and if so, in what research context. To accomplish these goals, a bibliometric analysis of the full texts of scientific publications identified based on a bibliometric query to the Scopus database was conducted. Then subject of the study is the scientific literature related to the energy sector in the Visegrád Group. Green research perspectives encompass all issues addressed by researchers that arise from the ongoing green economic transformation and are distinguished from previous non-ecological approaches by being labeled as “green”.
This article follows a classical narrative structure. Following this Introduction, which explains the research context and goal, is the Theoretical Background section. In this second subchapter, the research context and research gap are developed. The Materials and Methods section explains the details to enhance both the clarity and reproducibility of the research. Next, the Results section is presented, where a detailed analysis of the entire text is provided with tables divided into green research areas. The novelty of this article lies in the undertaken area of the research and its attention to green jobs in this context. This paper concludes with the Discussion and Conclusions sections, where future research areas are presented with the theoretical, methodological and empirical implications.

2. Theoretical Background

The theoretical foundation for this study is based on several interconnected frameworks that address SD, green job creation, and the transition to renewable energy sources. The following sections outline the key theories and concepts that underpin this research.
The concept of SD, as articulated by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, emphasizes meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [23,24]. This principle has driven global efforts to shift towards a green economy, characterized by low carbon emissions [25,26], resource efficiency [27,28,29], and social inclusivity [30]. The green economy framework supports the transition from traditional fossil-fuel-based growth to sustainable practices that prioritize environmental health, economic efficiency, and social equity. It is one of the most influential ideas shaping all areas of human activity and simultaneously necessitates the development of national strategies oriented towards sustainability.
Green jobs are defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as decent jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment [31], whether in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency [16,31]. The creation of green jobs is seen as a crucial element of the green economy, providing employment opportunities while supporting environmental sustainability. Economic theories on labour markets and job creation, such as the Keynesian approach to government intervention and investment in green industries, provide insights into how green job growth can stimulate broader economic development.
The successful transition to a green economy and the creation of green jobs are heavily dependent on supportive policy frameworks and regulatory mechanisms. Policies such as subsidies for renewable energy, carbon pricing, and environmental regulations play a critical role in shaping market behavior and driving investment in green technologies. The European Union’s Green Deal and the Fit for 55 packages are examples of comprehensive policy initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality and fostering green growth within member states, including the Visegrád Group countries.
Despite the extensive body of literature on SD, green jobs, and energy transitions, there is a relative paucity of research focusing specifically on the Visegrád Group countries. This region presents unique challenges and opportunities due to its post-communist legacy, diverse energy profiles, and varying levels of commitment to green policies. This paper aims to fill this gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the green research perspectives within the Visegrád Group countries, examining both the current state and future potential for sustainable energy development and green job creation. This article not only identifies the current green research perspectives but also offers a foundation for defining new ones.

3. Materials and Methods

The research procedure aimed at identifying green research perspectives related to the energy sector in the Visegrád Group was divided into four successive stages presented in Figure 1. At each stage, essential and structured research activities were carried out to obtain high-quality results. The scientific considerations presented in this article were conducted from October 2023 to December 2024. Regular meetings were held on the Microsoft Teams platform, during which both the research context and methodological elements were discussed, and the full content of the articles was analyzed. This approach, based on full-text analysis of scientific articles, is time-consuming but delivers the most reliable outcomes in bibliometric research. It minimizes the risk of including irrelevant studies retrieved solely through keyword searches and allows for the comprehensive identification of relevant content—far beyond what can be achieved through conventional bibliometric analyses relying only on titles, abstracts, and keywords.
The first stage of the research was related to the development of a preliminary research conceptualization. As indicated in Figure 1, a review was conducted of selected academic publications posted on Google Scholar that addressed various research aspects related to the Visegrád Group. It was noticed that topics associated with energy play a prominent role in these publications. Particularly observed were references to the issues of electricity prices [32,33,34], energy exclusion [35], the security of the energy sector [36,37], as well as its transformation towards renewable energy sources [10,38,39]. In addition, a research gap was identified concerning the analysis of green research perspectives undertaken in the context of the energy sector within the Visegrád Group.
The literature review performed allowed us to proceed to the design of the study. At the outset of this stage, the research objective was constructed based on the observations made regarding the identified research gap. Additionally, at the second stage of the study, the Scopus database was selected for analysis, and a bibliometric query was constructed (Table 1). The selection of the Scopus database was based on two important substantive arguments. First, Scopus offers transparency in how journals are indexed, and inclusion in the database is not permanent but subject to regular monitoring. Journals that fail to meet required standards may be excluded, which reinforces the perception among researchers that Scopus offers access to high-quality bibliometric data [18]. Second, Scopus is widely used in bibliometric studies related to both the energy sector [40,41,42] and the Visegrád Group [43].
At this stage, a customized bibliometric query was developed using Boolean operators (AND, OR) and the truncation symbol (*) to ensure semantic flexibility in capturing multiple inflectional forms of key concepts. The structure of the query was carefully adjusted to maximize relevance and precision. The query was applied to three searchable fields in Scopus: title, abstract, and keywords (TITLE-ABS-KEY). This ensured comprehensive coverage of relevant content.
The raw bibliographic data (metadata, author keywords, indexed keywords, source titles, and publication years) were exported from Scopus in CSV format. These data were cleaned and formatted in Microsoft Excel before being imported into VOSviewer version 1.6.20, supported by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies of Leiden University (The Netherlands).
VOSviewer software was used to conduct co-occurrence analysis of keywords based on full counting. The minimum threshold for keyword inclusion was set at 2 co-occurrences, meaning that a keyword had to appear in at least two documents. This threshold was selected to balance sensitivity and interpretability. As a result, 14 unique keyword nodes were identified and visualized in the co-occurrence map.
The keyword co-occurrence network was constructed using the default layout algorithm in VOSviewer. Each node in the map represents a keyword, while the thickness of the links (edges) indicates the frequency of co-occurrence between terms. The size of the node reflects the number of documents in which a keyword appears. This structure enabled the identification of thematic clusters, which were later used to develop five core green research perspectives.
In addition to standard co-occurrence visualization, the “overlay visualization” function in VOSviewer was applied to assess temporal trends. This tool assigns a color gradient to each keyword based on the average year of publication in which it appeared. As such, keywords like green transformation and green transition—colored in yellow—were shown to be more recent, indicating their growing importance in the last two years.
The syntax of the bibliometric query, presented in Table 1, referred to both the “Visegrád Group” and energy-related topics. The asterisk (*) was used to allow for flexible word endings, which shortened the query syntax but required additional full-text review guided by the PRISMA protocol [44]. No other symbols referring to the Visegrad Group, such as V4 or Visegrad Four, were included in the search query, as it was assumed that the full name of the group (Visegrad Group) would appear either in the title, abstract, or author keywords. The query was constructed to search titles, abstracts, and keywords (including both author and indexed keywords). To ensure reproducibility of the study and clarity for future research, three filters were applied in the query:
  • Time frame (in the bibliometric query “PUBYEAR”)—publications published until the end of 2023 (the analyses do not include publications from 2024, the year of generating data for the analysis, as due to the ongoing publishing process in individual scientific journals, there may be indexation of new articles covering the research problem taken into consideration),
  • Language (in the bibliometric query “LANGUAGE”)—publications written in English, as the content of entire scientific articles will be analyzed, and individual identified green research areas will be analyzed in their original notation used in individual scientific papers (the possibility of translations from other languages was excluded due to the possibility of losing the meaningful sense of a given green research area),
  • Publication type (in the bibliometric query “SRCTYPE”)—was limited to journals, which is related to the much greater accessibility of studies of this type (they are often indexed on the journals’ website and available for download online), than in the case of book studies (increasing the possibility of repeating the study in the future).
The penultimate stage involved data collection based on the previously defined query in the Scopus database. As a result, 60 scientific publications were retrieved (Table 1), all of which met the inclusion criteria. These were then filtered using the PRISMA method (Figure 2), which led to the selection of 30 publications that not only addressed energy issues in the Visegrád Group but also included references to green research areas. Full Prisma checklist is available in the Supplementary Materials section. Green research perspectives refer to the spectrum of problems and questions that scholars formulate in response to the ongoing green transformation of the economy. They build on earlier, non-ecological approaches, but are reoriented toward environmental and sustainability concerns. In contemporary discourse, they are explicitly framed and described as “green.” The excluded publications failed to consider any aspect of green-related topics. Duplicate records were removed, and a full-text verification procedure was implemented to ensure thematic relevance and consistency.
The final research phase involved the identification of green research areas using the Classic Systematic Literature Review (CLR) method. This entailed extracting green-related keywords from the full content of the selected publications and organizing them into broader green research perspectives. This analytical process allowed for the interpretation of thematic convergence among diverse studies and the development of a typology of research areas.
Figure 2 illustrates the screening and selection process based on the PRISMA protocol, which ensured methodological rigor and transparency in selecting the final set of 30 publications for analysis.
Following this, a synthesis of the extracted green keywords was carried out to identify recurring thematic categories. To achieve this, the collected keywords were grouped into coherent research perspectives based on content similarity. Particular attention was paid to distinguishing between “green transition” and “green transformation,” which, although often linked with the concept of green energy, represent different types of change. Green transition refers to a gradual process of implementing individual sustainable changes, whereas green transformation denotes a more systemic, multidimensional shift occurring simultaneously across multiple domains.
It should also be noted that the term “Visegrád Group” was not included as a separate research perspective in the final classification, as it served as a contextual and filtering term during the query phase and appeared in all analyzed publications.

4. Results

The outcome of this classification is presented in Table 2, which organizes the extracted green keywords into 11 distinct green research perspectives. These categories constitute the basis for further interpretation and discussion regarding the scope and orientation of current scientific interest in the green transformation of the energy sector in the Visegrád region.
Figure 3 presents a bibliometric keyword co-occurrence network generated using the VOSviewer software. The visualization is based on the frequency and co-occurrence of author and indexed keywords found in the 30 scientific articles selected through the PRISMA protocol and previously classified in Table 2.
Each node (circle) in the map represents a unique keyword, and its size reflects the frequency of that keyword in the dataset. The lines (edges) connecting the nodes indicate co-occurrence relationships, meaning how often two keywords appear together in the same publication. The thicker the edge, the stronger the association between the keywords. The color clusters group keywords that tend to co-occur more frequently with each other than with keywords in other groups, representing thematic subfields or research domains. The color scheme is as follows:
  • Red cluster (e.g., Visegrád Group, green deal, green energy): Keywords strongly associated with policy frameworks and macro-regional perspectives.
  • Green cluster (e.g., green technology, green resources, green transition, green transformation): Focused on technological and systemic aspects of the green energy shift.
  • Blue cluster (e.g., green economy, green infrastructure): Tied to economic models, efficiency, and structural planning.
Many keywords from Table 2 (e.g., green energy, green economy, green deal, green transformation, green transport) appear in the network and confirm their centrality in the literature. However, some keywords identified in the full-text analysis (e.g., green certificate, green paper, green program) are less visible or absent in the co-occurrence map due to lower frequency in author-provided keywords—highlighting the added value of full-text CLR analysis over surface-level keyword extraction.
Furthermore, the map illustrates the conceptual distinction maintained in Table 2 between “green transition” and “green transformation”. Both terms are represented as separate nodes in the green cluster, reinforcing the argument that they denote distinct but related processes.
Figure 4 presents a bibliometric co-occurrence network of keywords extracted from scientific publications focusing on the energy sector and green transformation in the Visegrád Group countries. The visualization was created using VOSviewer software, based on data from the Scopus database.
Each node (circle) in the network represents a unique keyword, while the size of the node corresponds to the frequency of its occurrence. The thickness of the lines (edges) between nodes indicates the strength of co-occurrence, i.e., how often two terms appear together in the same publication. The color gradient from blue to yellow represents the average year of appearance of a keyword, with blue tones indicating earlier occurrences (e.g., 2021) and yellow tones marking more recent use (e.g., 2023).
The central term “Visegrád Group” acts as a strategic integrator, forming strong connections with multiple key green research areas. Five dominant clusters emerge from the visualization, corresponding to the main thematic categories identified in the study:
  • Green economy and finance (e.g., green economy, green finance),
  • Green energy and its resources (e.g., green energy, green resources, green certificates),
  • Green policies and strategies (e.g., green deal, green strategy, green paper),
  • Green technology (e.g., green technology),
  • Green transport (e.g., green transport, green program).
Additionally, a distinct and newer cluster (highlighted in yellow) includes terms such as green transformation and green transition, reflecting their increasing prominence in recent publications and their conceptual separation. As noted in the article, “green transition” is associated with gradual systemic changes, while “green transformation” refers to a more holistic and complex evolution of the energy system. Their positioning on the map—closer to the periphery but well connected—suggests that these concepts are emerging and gaining visibility in scholarly discourse.
Notably, although “green jobs” does not appear as a distinct node in the network, its absence confirms the gap identified in the study—indicating a key area for future research at the intersection of energy, employment, and sustainability.
In summary, Figure 4 supports the findings of the article by illustrating the interconnected nature of green research areas, the central role of the Visegrád Group as a regional research context, and the emergence of new, promising directions such as green hydrogen, energy transition, and just transition policies (visible indirectly through co-occurring terms).
As a result of the considerations undertaken, a different level of saturation of green research issues was found in the various scientific publications analyzed, which simultaneously referred to issues related to the energy sector and the Visegrád Group (ranging from references to one to more than a dozen different green issues). All identified references to green research issues were assigned to one of six aggregating categories and are presented in Table 2.
References to issues related to the question of green economics and green finance are very significant green research themes undertaken in the scientific publications analyzed (Table 2). Quite numerous and at the same time quite general references to the issue of the process of greening the economy were identified. One should point out, for example, references to green transformation [45,46], green transition [45,46,47], or even green revolution [46]. The process of greening the economy is taking place gradually. Thus, calling it a green revolution does not refer to the pace, but to a departure from the previous thinking about economic development, in which profit at all costs and reliance on non-renewable energy sources led the way. At the same time, it is impossible to determine when it will be possible to say that we are dealing with a fully developed green economy. Through the prism of the scientific papers analyzed, it is possible to see that the green economy is a kind of result of the currently initiated pro-environmental changes in the various sectors of the economy, which contribute to the emergence of a green and low-carbon economy [48]. To achieve this goal, various types of green initiatives [46], strategies [39] and financial instruments [49] are created and implemented in economic practice.
Green taxes are among the important financial instruments that can be used to stimulate the direction of companies’ strategies and individuals’ behavior in the context of their interaction with the environment. Through this type of solution, beneficial changes to the wider climate are stimulated, e.g., reduction of CO2 emissions. The funds obtained in this way can be used, for example, to transform the energy sector in the direction of increasing the use of renewable energy sources.
The drive to green the economy can also be observed from the perspective of individual organizations operating in the market [39]. Here, various types of green practices are initiated to minimize the negative pressure from individual organizations on the environment. For example, it is pointed out that at the level of organizations the process of their greening can be stimulated by implementing sustainable human resource management [39].
In a number of the analyzed scientific studies there was a reference to the issue of green transition in the European Union. As a result, the issue of the Europe Green Deal was raised, within the framework of which various political initiatives are being initiated aimed at achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. The solutions worked out in the framework of the European Green Deal affect all EU member states, including those belonging to the Visegrád Group. It should be pointed out here that the issue of reducing emissions of individual sectors of the economy, energy efficiency and the abandonment of non-renewable energy sources in obtaining electricity occupy key positions in the context of the EU’s green transformation. At the same time, researchers note that solutions at the EU level are gradually being implemented at the level of individual countries. Hence, it is not surprising that some of the programs identified during the analysis referring to green issues concerned a strictly specific country. It should be pointed out here, for example, the “Green for Households” program [50,51], or the “Green Public Transport” program [6]. The studies also recognize the influence of the Visegrád Group on neighboring countries such as Ukraine.
The goal of the study is to indicate key green research areas identified across scientific publications, which collectively reflect the most pressing issues related to the greening of the energy sector. Through the grouping and classification of green perspectives, the current state of the discussion on sustainable transformation in the Visegrád region is revealed.
Mentioned and identified above green research areas in the analyzed scientific articles prove that the green transformation of the economy is an important research issue. Within this issue, the issue of changes initiated in the energy sector aimed at minimizing and ultimately eliminating non-renewable energy sources from use occupies a special place. Activities in this direction are initiated in various sectors of the economy and involve individual consumers. At the same time, activities in this direction are supported in the EU area by numerous political initiatives and created legislation at the EU level. Building the appropriate political and legal space promotes the green transformation of the energy sector. As a stable and clearly defined direction of development, at the same time it provides an incentive for those involved in the creation and development of more and more new green technologies, which are also conceptualized in the literature as forms of green technology innovation [52].

5. Discussion

The results of this study provide valuable insights into the green research perspectives within the energy sector of the Visegrád Group. Previous studies have highlighted the potential for green job creation and economic growth through the development of renewable energy sources. This study corroborates these findings, demonstrating that the Visegrád Group countries are poised to benefit significantly from the transition to renewable energy. The identification of green energy resources, green certificates, and green tariffs in the analyzed literature underscores the importance of these elements in driving the green transformation.
It should be emphasized that none of the analyzed studies have recognized one of the extensively discussed green research perspectives, which is the creation of green jobs. The European Union, of which the Visegrád Group countries are members, places strong emphasis on the energy transition, within which green jobs are being created. Green jobs are directly or indirectly linked to energy production, energy distribution, and the operation of energy infrastructure, particularly in the renewable energy sector. To date, numerous studies focusing on individual EU member states [53,54], as well as on the European Union as a whole [55,56], in the context of the renewable energy sector, have referred to the issue of green jobs [57]. These analyses are typically conducted from a comparative perspective, in which green jobs in the renewable energy sector are contrasted with the situation in Western European countries. Given the relatively extensive body of literature on green jobs, the lack of a more comprehensive discussion of this issue in the context of the Visegrad Group and the development of the energy sector in the V4 countries is nevertheless surprising. Therefore, this article is the first to address this perspective, as identified through a bibliometric query.
Moreover, the emphasis on green hydrogen [58,59,60] and the greening of the gas sector [61] aligns with emerging trends in energy research and policy. Numerous studies in the literature discussing energy sector transformation issues point to the key role of technological innovation in achieving energy efficiency and sustainability [62,63]. The growing volume of research on green technologies [64,65] illustrates the multi-dimensional character of green innovation in the energy domain. The present findings support the view that sustained investment in green technology is essential for transforming the Visegrád Group’s energy landscape.
This study has several key implications for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers. First, the observed link between green job creation and the development of the energy sector reinforces the dual benefits of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Policymakers should prioritize strategies that simultaneously stimulate renewable energy deployment and employment opportunities. Doing so would not only mitigate climate risks but also promote economic resilience and long-term labor market stability.
In parallel, it is essential to consider the role of nuclear energy within the broader renewable energy discourse. While nuclear energy is often categorized as “clean” due to its low carbon emissions, it is not considered renewable. This raises both technical and socio-political challenges, particularly regarding public communication, safety perception, and long-term environmental implications. The juxtaposition of nuclear and renewable energy sources within the Visegrád context reveals the complexity of shaping a balanced and inclusive energy policy. For example, Poland’s recent policy shifts toward nuclear highlight both the potential and controversy associated with such a direction.
The study also reinforces the critical role of EU-level policy instruments in guiding national-level green transitions. Frameworks such as the European Green Deal offer a unified vision for decarbonization, energy efficiency, and the expansion of renewables. Effective implementation of these policies at the member-state level is crucial for meeting regional targets. The success of national initiatives like “Green for Households” and “Green Public Transport” illustrates how well-designed programs can translate EU ambitions into tangible local outcomes.
However, green transformation strategies must account for the diversification of energy sources and the socio-political contexts in which they are applied. Stakeholder engagement and public participation are essential for addressing resistance and ensuring broad-based support for policies—especially in relation to technologies like nuclear energy, where risk perception and public trust play a critical role. Building consensus across diverse interest groups is vital for the stability of long-term energy strategies in the Visegrád region.
Another important direction for future research concerns societal acceptance of nuclear energy. Investigating public attitudes, concerns, and information gaps can inform policy design and communication efforts. Comparative studies across EU member states—including Visegrád countries—could identify best practices for integrating nuclear with renewables in public policy and discourse.
Future studies should also explore the long-term economic implications of green job creation. This includes examining how such jobs contribute to economic resilience, how they compare to traditional energy-sector roles in terms of wages, working conditions, and career progression, and how they can support a just transition.
Additionally, the interplay between political, social, and economic factors must be examined to understand how energy choices are shaped and legitimized. Public opinion, historical legacies, environmental concerns, and political will collectively influence the feasibility of phasing out non-renewable sources and scaling up clean alternatives.
Finally, research should continue to evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions aimed at promoting renewable energy and green innovation. Detailed case studies of successful national and regional programs could serve as a blueprint for policy replication. Particular attention should be given to energy storage technologies, which are critical to the reliability and flexibility of renewable systems. Furthermore, advanced green technologies—such as green hydrogen production, smart grids, and carbon-neutral fuels—represent frontier areas of development that warrant ongoing academic focus.

6. Conclusions

This study delves into the green research perspectives within the energy sector of the Visegrád Group, comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Through a combination of bibliometric analysis and full-text content review, this research identifies 13 distinct green thematic categories, offering a broader and more structured understanding of how sustainability is addressed across the region. Through comprehensive analysis, several key insights and implications have emerged.
Limitations of this study should be acknowledged when interpreting the results. First, the regional scope was deliberately restricted to the canonical expression “Visegrad Group” in the bibliometric query, excluding alternative labels such as “Visegrad Four”, “V4” or broader regional markers like “Central Europe”. This choice was motivated by the need to preserve construct validity and to treat the Visegrad Group primarily as an institutionalised cooperation format, rather than as a loosely defined geographical area. In addition, abbreviations such as “V4” are used inconsistently across disciplines and may denote unrelated concepts (e.g., in electrical engineering or mechanical engineering), which would have substantially reduced the precision of the search and increased the number of false positives. Second, the thematic component of the query combined “Visegrad Group” with the truncated term “energy*”, designed to capture the broad spectrum of energy-related research (e.g., energy, energy markets, energy policy, energy transition). At this stage, no explicit “green” or sustainability-related keywords were included. Instead, the identification of green research perspectives was conducted ex post, based on full-text screening and interpretation of the retrieved publications. This two-step strategy prioritised access to complete article texts in a recognised scholarly database and then applied a substantive conceptual filter at the level of content analysis, rather than at the level of the initial query string. Third, the empirical analysis relied exclusively on the Scopus database and was limited to English-language journal articles. This decision ensured a relatively homogeneous set of high-quality, peer-reviewed outputs, accompanied by comparable metadata structures suitable for bibliometric mapping. At the same time, it inevitably excluded relevant research disseminated in other formats (e.g., books, reports, conference papers), published in other databases, or written in languages other than English, including national and regional journals from the V4 countries. Fourth, the procedures of full-text keyword extraction and subsequent thematic categorisation inherently involve an element of researcher subjectivity. Although the coding process followed a transparent and systematic protocol, and categories were iteratively refined, alternative classifications are conceivable and may yield partially different emphases in the interpretation of green research perspectives. Finally, the empirical basis of the study is a relatively modest corpus of publications (n = 30). This limited number is a direct consequence of the strict inclusion criteria applied in the multi-stage screening process (database query, abstract-level and full-text-level assessment). While the sample size constrains the generalisability of the findings, it also provides a high degree of confidence that the analysed articles genuinely address green issues, explicitly refer to the Visegrad Group, and focus on the energy sector, which strengthens the internal validity of the conclusions. Future research on green perspectives in the energy sector may incorporate the exploration of additional databases (e.g., Web of Science or Overton). Nevertheless, such multi-database designs are less easily replicable, owing to the need for simultaneous access to all these databases and the heterogeneity of their search procedures. The transition to green energy presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation in the Visegrád Group countries. The development of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and bioenergy, has the potential to generate numerous green jobs. These jobs not only contribute to economic stability but also enhance environmental sustainability, aligning with the broader goals of SD. The findings of this study reinforce that green jobs represent both an environmental and economic imperative—yet this perspective has been largely overlooked in earlier research. This article is one of the first to position green jobs as a distinct area within the green energy transformation discourse in the region.
While renewable energy sources are pivotal for the green transformation, the role of nuclear energy remains significant. Although nuclear energy is clean in terms of carbon emissions, it is not renewable. The socio-political acceptance of nuclear energy, alongside renewable sources, presents a complex challenge. The role of nuclear energy in this context is still subject to extensive scientific debate. Balancing these energy sources within the Visegrád Group’s energy mix is essential for a comprehensive and sustainable energy strategy. In particular, public perception, political will, and country-specific strategies must be considered in order to develop socially accepted and technically viable long-term energy solutions.
The advancement of green technologies is fundamental to achieving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Investment in green technology, supported by both national and international funding, is necessary to drive innovation and implementation. The emergence of green hydrogen and the greening of the gas sector are notable technological developments that can contribute significantly to the green transformation of the Visegrád Group’s energy sector. Future innovation efforts should also include smart grids, energy storage systems, and carbon-neutral technologies, which are critical to supporting the scalability and reliability of renewable energy infrastructure.
This study emphasizes the important role of European Union policies—particularly the European Green Deal—as a framework guiding the energy transition in the region. Translating EU-level goals into localized policies, such as “Green for Households” or “Green Public Transport,” has already shown promising results. Effective implementation of these measures will be essential in scaling green initiatives across all Visegrád countries.
Future research should continue to explore the interplay between policy, technology, and market dynamics in the green transformation of the Visegrád Group energy sector. Specific areas of interest include the long-term economic impacts of green job creation, the societal acceptance of nuclear energy, and the effectiveness of various policy interventions. Additionally, comparative studies with other EU regions can provide valuable insights and best practices for the Visegrád Group countries. Greater attention should also be paid to the evaluation of public engagement strategies, stakeholder participation, and the communication of energy choices to ensure democratic legitimacy and public trust.
It is also recommended that future research examines the contribution of green jobs to labor market resilience, including their quality, wages, security, and potential for long-term career growth in contrast to conventional energy sector employment. Such research could help shape labor and education policy that supports a just and inclusive energy transition.
In conclusion, the green transformation of the energy sector in the Visegrád Group is a multifaceted challenge that requires coordinated efforts across policy, technology, and market domains. By embracing renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and fostering green job creation, the Visegrád Group countries can pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future. The findings of this study provide a strong foundation for aligning academic research, national energy policy, and EU climate objectives. They also highlight critical elements—such as innovation, public trust, and employment structures—that must be addressed in order to successfully navigate the region’s transition toward a greener energy future.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/en18236142/s1.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; methodology, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; software, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; validation L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; formal analysis, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; investigation, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; resources, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; data curation, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; writing—original draft preparation, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; writing—review and editing, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; visualization, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; supervision, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; project administration, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S.; funding acquisition, L.K., Ł.J.K. and A.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Energies 18 06142 g001
Figure 1. Stages of the study. Source: Authors’ elaboration.
Figure 1. Stages of the study. Source: Authors’ elaboration.
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Figure 2. PRISMA scheme for the selection of scientific papers for analysis of green research areas. Source: Authors’ elaboration.
Figure 2. PRISMA scheme for the selection of scientific papers for analysis of green research areas. Source: Authors’ elaboration.
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Figure 3. Co-occurrence network of keywords related to green research in the energy sector of the Visegrád Group (VOSviewer analysis). Source: Authors’ elaboration.
Figure 3. Co-occurrence network of keywords related to green research in the energy sector of the Visegrád Group (VOSviewer analysis). Source: Authors’ elaboration.
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Figure 4. Co-occurrence map of keywords related to green research perspectives in the energy sector of the Visegrád Group (VOSviewer visualization). Source: Authors’ elaboration based on Scopus data.
Figure 4. Co-occurrence map of keywords related to green research perspectives in the energy sector of the Visegrád Group (VOSviewer visualization). Source: Authors’ elaboration based on Scopus data.
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Table 1. Details of bibliometric query syntax for Scopus database.
Table 1. Details of bibliometric query syntax for Scopus database.
SymbolQuery SyntaxNo. Results
(21 February 2024)
Q1TITLE-ABS-KEY (“Visegrad Group” AND “energy*”) AND PUBYEAR > 2013 AND PUBYEAR < 2024 AND (LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, “English”)) AND (LIMIT-TO (SRCTYPE, “j”))60
Source: Authors’ elaboration.
Table 2. Classification of Green-Related Keywords and Corresponding Green Research Perspectives in the Context of the Visegrád Group’s Energy Sector.
Table 2. Classification of Green-Related Keywords and Corresponding Green Research Perspectives in the Context of the Visegrád Group’s Energy Sector.
No.Identified Green Keywords form the Article ContentGreen Research Perspective
1energy produced in the EU is greener; green electricity; green electricity producers; green energies; green energy policy; green energy production; green energy transition; green power offering; green power plants; green response; “green” energy technology; “green” energy transition; “green” energy; share of green energy in gross energy consumption; transition to green energy; greening the electricity producers;green energy
2environmental strategy-greener Slovakia; green decisions; green strategy-driven organizations; green strategies; process greening towards SSM; greening of the organization;green strategy
3Europe green deal agreement; European green agreement; European Green Deal; European Green Deal programme; European Green Deal strategy; European Green Deal targets; EU’s green electricity directive; green deal for Europe; new green deal in Europe; Ukrainian green deal;green deal
4green and digital economies; green economy financing program; green economy financing system; green economy standards; green productivity; green revolution; green, low-carbon economy; greener and more competitive economy; greener economy; greening the entire economy;green economy
5green auctions; green bonuses; green investment policy; green tariff mechanism; green tariffs; green tax; green taxation;green finance
6green bus programme; green public transport program; green savings program; greenery for households’ program; “fit for 55” green transition package; “green for households” program; ‘greening for households’ initiative;green program
7green certificate mechanism; green certificate system;green certificate
8green energy sources; green energy source; green sources; greener energy sources; greener sourcesgreen resources
9green h2; green and hybrid vehicles; green hydrogen; green hydrogen investments; green hydrogen production; green propulsion systems; green vehicles; greener vehicles; greening the gas sector; producing green (or low-carbon) hydrogen;green transport
10green paper on an EU energy policy; commission’s green paper on the climate and energy 2030 vision; green paper on a European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy; green paper on sustainable energygreen paper
11green technologies; green technology investments; greener product technology; greener solutions in every aspect of life; technologies will become greener and more environmentally friendly; implementation green technology;green technology
Source: Authors’ elaboration.
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Kozar, Ł.J.; Sulich, A.; Kulhánek, L. Green Research Perspectives in the Visegrád Group: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for the Energy Sector. Energies 2025, 18, 6142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236142

AMA Style

Kozar ŁJ, Sulich A, Kulhánek L. Green Research Perspectives in the Visegrád Group: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for the Energy Sector. Energies. 2025; 18(23):6142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236142

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kozar, Łukasz Jarosław, Adam Sulich, and Lumír Kulhánek. 2025. "Green Research Perspectives in the Visegrád Group: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for the Energy Sector" Energies 18, no. 23: 6142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236142

APA Style

Kozar, Ł. J., Sulich, A., & Kulhánek, L. (2025). Green Research Perspectives in the Visegrád Group: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for the Energy Sector. Energies, 18(23), 6142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236142

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