I'm not sure about this next bit:
env_gravity does not work in NS, since 2.0-ish (disabled, probs with buildings?) - ofcourse I could be completely wrong and it does work now...
trigger_push only works if a player has a z-axis speed (if you want up/down movement)
Meaning:
Downard pushing:
A skulk on a ceiling will just walk along until he jumps of the ceiling (then he gets a push)
Upward pushing:
Anything walking along that does not jump or has a z-speed will not be affected by it.
Trigger_push simply can't be used as env_gravity as it is quite jittery with it's movement and needs an initial speed to have any effect. Also any effect (large values) will have quite a large impact. I did make a sonic jumping spring once which worked quite effectively at catching falling people and pushing them into the air again without damage