The growing attention toward Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) reflects its potential to shape future consumers’ environmental values. However, limited bibliometric evidence exists linking ESD research with behavioural outcomes such as sustainable consumption. This study maps global research trends connecting ESD and consumer behaviour. The bibliometric technique of review is used to understand scholarly trajectories in the field linking SDG 04 with SDG 12. Web of Science and Scopus databases were utilised in the study. 3737 articles were extracted and analysed using PRISMA criteria and bibliometric tools such as VOS viewer and Biblioshiny (an R studio bibliometric package). Results reveal three distinct research phases, with a sharp growth after the launch of the SDGs. Eight thematic clusters emerged ranging from sustainability education to consumer decision-making and circular economy showing an expanding multidisciplinary engagement. China, the USA, and the UK lead in productivity and collaboration, while South Asian countries continued to be underrepresented. This study contributes by bridging two domains sustainability education and consumer behaviour and identifying underexplored research directions for future scholars.
Prakash et al. (Mon,) studied this question.