How Effective Are Digital Green Nudges? A Publication Bias-Adjusted Meta-Analysis

Digital nudges influence people’s decisions while preserving their freedom of choice. This publication bias-adjusted, robust Bayesian meta-analysis evaluates the impact of digital nudges on pro-environmental behavior. We analyzed 159 effect estimates from more than a million observations across 67 studies of 58 publications. The findings indicate no significant average effect of nudge interventions on behavioral outcomes while highlighting a pronounced publication bias. Despite a mean indistinguishable from zero, the substantial variability among the studies suggests that some nudges may be effective. However, our examination of potential moderators, such as the nudge category and nudge personalization, shows that these factors do not significantly account for the observed variability. This study offers a cautionary note about the limitations of the current green nudging literature. It underscores the necessity for more rigorous research methodologies, including registered reports and high-powered replications, to determine which nudges influence sustainable behaviors in what contexts.