Kinly has warned that businesses risk overlooking a key driver of sustainability by failing to recognise the environmental benefits of audio-visual (AV) technology. Research from its latest Trusted Connections 2025 report – drawing on the views of hundreds of enterprise‑level AV professionals in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordics – shows 41 percent of organisations do not see AV as a valuable tool in cutting carbon emissions despite its growing role in reducing travel, cutting energy use, and improving resource efficiency.
This disconnect comes at a time when most AV teams are now directly involved in delivering carbon reduction targets, the company says. According to the research, 63 percent of enterprises say their AV departments are contributing to environmental goals, and nearly four in ten (39 percent) report improved sustainability outcomes following workplace transformation projects.
The global systems integrator argues that the findings signal a shift in how AV is being perceived and implemented. A growing number of organisations (61 percent) are now factoring e-waste into their technology procurement decisions, while 72 percent expect their AV teams to have defined sustainability targets in place by the end of the year.
In practical terms, AV is being used to support more energy-efficient operations. Around 64 percent of businesses believe AV choices can reduce energy use among remote workers, while 31 percent are investing in smart building analytics to automate lighting and climate control based on occupancy data, which helps to cut waste and lower building emissions.
But challenges remain. Nearly half (45 percent) of respondents admit they lack sufficient insight into how physical spaces are used, making it difficult to optimise environments and realise the full sustainability benefits of smart AV systems.
Simon Watson, global head of innovation at Kinly, said: “If businesses are serious about hitting their ESG goals, they can’t afford to ignore AV. When used effectively, it can help cut emissions, lower energy use, and support more flexible, sustainable ways of working. It enables remote collaboration that reduces the need for travel and helps make office spaces more efficient through automation and occupancy-based controls. When integrated with workplace analytics, AV also gives organisations the data they need to track progress and make better-informed decisions. The companies making real strides are the ones seeing AV not just as a tech upgrade, but as a key part of building more responsible, future-ready workplaces.”
