Environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the built environment: science mapping of present and future trends

Purpose The increasing urgency to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) within the built environment is driven by escalating climate threats, regulatory demands and stakeholder expectations. However, the absence of a unified understanding and the fragmented nature of ESG applications pose significant challenges to effective integration. To address these inefficiencies, quantitatively mapping current and future trends in scientific literature through bibliometric analysis is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge structure of ESG research within the built environment. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 563 articles in the Web of Science database using the science mapping method, consisting of citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-word analysis. Findings The citation analysis revealed three themes, the co-citation analysis identified four clusters, and the co-word analysis produced five clusters. Additionally, five key themes were identified regarding the knowledge structure of the ESG research within the built environment. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive science mapping of ESG research within the built environment. By synthesising diverse streams of research, it offers a structured understanding of how ESG is conceptualised and operationalised across spatial, institutional and policy domains. The findings serve as a roadmap for advancing ESG through academic research, professional practice and policy design.