This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of the Debt-for-
Nature Swap (DFNS) literature over the period 1988–2025, highlighting its intellectual
structure, thematic evolution, and global patterns of scientific collaboration. A total
of 117 publications were retrieved from the Scopus database using targeted keyword
searches and analyzed with the Bibliometrix package in R. The analysis included annual
publication trends, productivity by authors, institutions, and countries, most cited
works, keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic maps, and trend topic analyses.
Results show that DFNS research initially focused on environmental protection and
debt relief, but since 2015 has shifted toward climate finance, blue bonds, and sustainable
development. Notable turning points include the Seychelles’ issuance of the
first blue bond in 2018 and renewed interest following the COVID-19 debt surge. The
United States, the United Kingdom, and China lead in research output, while most
DFNS projects are implemented in developing countries. Citation and thematic analyses
reveal integration with biodiversity conservation and emerging links to innovative
financial instruments. By systematically mapping the field and identifying research
gaps, this study offers evidence-based insights for environmental economics, guiding
policy design at the intersection of sovereign debt management, biodiversity conservation,
and climate finance.