Nudging towards sustainability: a comprehensive review of behavioral approaches to eco-friendly choice

Promoting eco-friendly choices is essential for long-term environmental protection, and nudging has emerged as a subtle but impactful tool to guide individuals and organizations toward sustainable behavior. Nudging techniques, such as default option settings, social norm displays, and feedback mechanisms, can be used to encourage actions like recycling, energy conservation, and increased use of public transportation. This comprehensive review spans the period from 2008 to 2024, providing a deep analysis of how nudging strategies have evolved and been applied in diverse domains such as food choices, energy consumption, transportation, and environmental regulation. The study synthesizes empirical research, behavioral theories, and ethical frameworks to assess the effectiveness and challenges of employing nudges for sustainability. One of the key research gaps identified is the lack of cross-cultural studies examining how different cultural contexts affect the success of nudging interventions. Additionally, there is a shortage of longitudinal research that tracks the long-term impact of nudging strategies. This review addresses these gaps by proposing future research directions that focus on cross-cultural analyses and long-term behavioral assessments. Using statistical measures, factorial analysis, content analysis, and thematic evolution analysis, the findings demonstrate fundamental shifts and emerging trends, such as the increasing role of digital nudging in promoting sustainable practices. This review contributes novel insights by integrating behavioral science, environmental psychology, and policy analysis, offering a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. It also emphasizes the growing importance of technology-driven nudging interventions in shaping sustainable behaviors, thus providing a roadmap for future research and practical implementations.