A lightweight Web3D digital twin framework for real-time ESG monitoring using IoT sensors

Existing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) monitoring approaches rely primarily on static reports and dashboard-based interfaces, limiting real-time analysis and interactive exploration of sustainability data in complex built environments. In addition, current digital twin systems often lack integration with IoT-based sensing or depend on cloud-based rendering infrastructures, increasing deployment complexity and restricting accessibility. This study proposes a lightweight Web3D-based digital twin framework for real-time ESG monitoring in smart buildings. The system integrates an independently developed IoT sensor network with a browser-native 3D visualization platform, enabling real-time monitoring of ESG indicators—including electricity consumption—without requiring proprietary software or dedicated rendering hardware. ESG indicators are derived using a rule-based classification aligned with the WELL Building Standard v1. The framework was validated through a 12-month re-al-world deployment involving 60 IoT sensors. Results demonstrate stable performance, achieving 66 FPS rendering, 78 ms system latency, and 98% sensor data consistency based on cross-sensor agreement. The system also enabled timely detection of environmental anomalies, leading to measurable improvements in air quality and lighting conditions. Unlike prior digital twin systems, the proposed framework delivers a fully browser-native, lightweight architecture that integrates real-time IoT sensing, adaptive Web3D visualization, and structured ESG monitoring within a single deployable system. This approach provides a practical solution with potential for broader deployment in real-time sustainability monitoring for smart buildings.