Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations among building occupants: perspectives of owner- and renter-occupied residents

This study explores Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations from the perspective of building occupants in Malaysia, focusing on owner-occupied and renter-occupied residents of high-rise developments. The aim is to identify key priorities, highlight perception gaps between tenure groups, and provide insights for more user-centred ESG practices. A quantitative approach was employed, drawing on survey data from 148 occupants in the Klang Valley and analysed using arithmetic means and the Mann-Whitney U Test. Findings show that renter-occupied residents prioritised ESG aspects affecting daily living, such as energy efficiency, safety, ventilation, comfort, inclusiveness, and affordability. Owner-occupied residents reported lower mean scores overall but placed greater importance on long-term considerations, including public transport access and governance measures. Governance-related factors ranked low across both groups, though renters expressed slightly higher interest in transparency. Social activities were deprioritised by both groups due to perceived inconvenience and liability concerns. The study provides practical implications for policymakers, developers, property owners, and facilities managers by emphasising the importance of aligning ESG initiatives with occupant perspectives. Incorporating end-user priorities enhances policy relevance, strengthens market acceptance, and supports long-term sustainability, contributing to socially responsive and user-centred approaches in the built environment.