Zhou, ShuaiYang, XiaolongLie, Tek TjingZhao, WanyuHan, JiepingShao, Wendong2026-01-142026-01-142025-12Power and Energy Future, ISSN: 3105-3785 (Print); 3105-3785 (Online), Tsinghua University Press. doi: 10.26599/pef.2025.96500033105-37853105-3785http://hdl.handle.net/10292/20493In response to escalating climate challenges, the global energy system is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation. Governments worldwide are prioritizing emerging technologies and international trends to accelerate the shift toward a low-carbon energy framework. This study systematically reviews 2,936 publications on energy transition, using quantitative analysis to identify research hotspots shaped by climate imperatives. It explores the evolving roles of diverse energy sources, highlights key enabling technologies, and examines major transition pathways adopted across countries. Building on these findings, the study outlines critical directions for future research, emphasizing the need for innovation, policy alignment, and global collaboration. By mapping the comprehensive landscape of energy transition and its driving forces, this research offers valuable insights to guide policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. As the transition accelerates, a systematic and inclusive perspective becomes essential to support this historic shift toward sustainable energy systems.© The author(s) 2025. Published by Tsinghua University Press. This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).4101 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation41 Environmental Sciences51 Physical Sciences13 Climate ActionClimate changeenergy transitionlow-carbon technologiesenergy transition pathwaysJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.26599/pef.2025.9650003