In the AV industry, the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) conversation is no longer optional.
Today’s challenge is twofold:

1. What drives our sustainability initiatives?
   For many organizations, it starts with customer needs and value creation. Sustainability without performance or ROI has no lasting impact. Companies can only allocate meaningful resources to sustainability when it delivers measurable business value—through efficiency, innovation, or customer loyalty.
   
   The second driver is seeing sustainability as a license to do business—a way to remain compliant, protect brand reputation, and align with growing market and regulatory expectations.
   
   And finally, the third driver stems from values and shared responsibility—a genuine desire to reduce environmental impact and contribute to a better future for people and the planet.
   
   
2. How do we turn those drivers into action that creates measurable impact?

For most AV organizations, the answer lies in a structured, yet flexible approach: one that allows teams to assess where they are today, identify priorities, and make consistent progress over time. That’s where the AV Sustainability Maturity Framework comes in.

Why a Maturity Framework?

Built around the ESG pillars, the AV Sustainability Maturity Framework helps companies identify “What Level Are You?” and provides a roadmap for growth across six core dimensions: culture, governance, action, targets, supply chain, and reporting.

It’s not about competition—it’s about clarity, consistency, and collaboration.

And just as importantly, the framework is flexible. Sustainability isn’t a straight line—it’s a continuum that evolves with your company’s strategy, customer expectations, and available resources. Depending on your organizational priorities, you may be at different maturity levels across different areas.

For example, a company might demonstrate Level 4 leadership in culture and governance but still operate at a Level 2 compliance stage in supply chain engagement or reporting. The framework is designed to recognize that sustainability progress is dynamic and contextual—it allows each organization to move fluidly through levels based on its growth trajectory, market pressures, and operational realities.

Ultimately, this adaptability is what makes the framework powerful: it’s not prescriptive, but directional—a tool to help every AV organization, large or small, take its next step toward a more sustainable future.

The 5 Levels of AV Sustainability Maturity

Level 1: Awareness (Ad Hoc / Reactive)

ESG Lens: Minimal alignment. Actions are informal or reactive.

• No formal policy or measurable goals.
• Sustainability practices may happen inconsistently (like ad-hoc recycling).
• Limited awareness of carbon footprint or social impact.

You might say: “We know sustainability is important, but we haven’t taken formal steps yet.”

Level 2: Compliance (Basic / Obligatory)

ESG Lens: Compliance-driven; meets regulations or client mandates.

• Follows local e-waste or environmental laws.
• Meets sustainability requirements only when required.
• Initial awareness of DEI or ethical sourcing.

You might say: “We do the basics when required, but it’s not yet embedded in our culture.”

Level 3: Integration (Structured / Proactive)

ESG Lens: ESG is part of operations and planning.

• Policies and measurable goals in place.
• Energy-efficient designs and lifecycle thinking in projects.
• Company-wide programs for recycling, travel reduction, or carbon offsetting.
• Early ESG reporting shared internally or with clients.

You might say: “Sustainability is part of how we do business—we’re always looking to improve.”

Level 4: Optimization (Strategic / Impact-Driven)

ESG Lens: ESG drives innovation and partnerships.

• Public ESG reporting with measurable results.
• Pursues green certifications (LEED, ISO14001, ENERGY STAR).
• Governance ensures ESG accountability at the executive level.
• Community engagement and volunteerism are part of brand identity.

You might say: “We hold ourselves accountable and innovate with ESG in mind.”

Level 5: Leadership (Regenerative / Transformative)

ESG Lens: A changemaker in sustainability.

• Net-zero goals achieved or in motion with third-party verification.
• Circular economy principles built into products and services.
• Actively shapes industry policy and mentors others.
• ESG leadership embedded in company DNA.

You might say: “We lead by example and help others raise the bar.”

Moving from Awareness to Action

No matter your level, every journey starts the same way: by assessing where you are today.

As Carolina Sosa, member of the Sustainability Advisory Council and board member of SAVe, notes:

“Everything can start with a series of small steps. Once you start, you can’t stop.”

Small Steps, Big Impact

The journey from Awareness to Leadership doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s not about the size of your first step, but the consistency of all the steps that follow.

Every AV company—large or small—can make a difference. Start by asking:
“What level are we?”

Then take the next step toward creating a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative future for our industry.

See where your organization fits. Download our checklist.