Nudging towards sustainability: A systematic review of digital strategies for achieving ESG goals in corporate real estate

The environmental impact of corporate activities is under increasing scrutiny from sustainability-focused investors, prompting organizations to prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. Despite the critical role of corporate Real Estate Portfolios (REPs) in achieving these targets, limited research has explored how occupant behaviour influences the contribution of REPs to overall organizational ESG performance. This study addresses this gap by systematically reviewing literature on digital nudging as a strategy to promote Pro-Sustainability Behaviours (PSB) among REP occupants. Drawing insights from 22 peer-reviewed publications, the study identifies key behavioural focus areas, digital nudging elements (DNEs), principles (DNPs), and enabling technologies. These findings inform the development of a practical Input–Mediator–Outcome (IMO) Digital Nudging Framework, which guides the design, implementation, and evaluation of nudging interventions within REPs. The framework offers a structured approach for facility and real estate managers to align REP occupant PSB with ESG goals, integrating contextual analysis, behavioural targeting, technology selection, and performance evaluation. By emphasizing the social and governance dimensions alongside environmental outcomes, this study contributes a comprehensive guideline for enhancing ESG performance through digital nudging in corporate real estate settings.