AI Nudges and Sustainable Choices: A Behavioral Layer to Strengthen ESG with Geospatial Insight

Abstract. As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting becomes a central pillar of sustainability compliance, there is a growing need to incorporate consumer behaviour into carbon accounting and Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) frameworks. This paper explores how AI-driven digital nudges can influence sustainable consumption patterns and generate a behavioural data layer that enhances geospatial ESG systems.

A multi-construct model is applied, combining Perceived Usefulness of AI (PU-AI), Technology Adoption Intent (TAI), and a newly developed Sustainable Consumption Index (SCI). The approach examines how green defaults, tailored recommendations, and gamified prompts can shift user behaviour at scale. The resulting behavioural insights are mapped into spatial ESG dashboards to visualise and validate Scope 3 emission reductions, establish behaviour-linked baselines, and strengthen the credibility of sustainability claims.

The proposed framework bridges behavioural science, artificial intelligence, and geospatial analysis, providing industries with a scalable pathway to integrate demand-side sustainability indicators into broader strategies. By linking consumer actions to spatial environmental data, the model advances the inclusivity, accuracy, and actionability of ESG reporting for both policy and practice.