ESG in Action: Key Takeaways From SIA’s ESG Virtual Symposium

If your company is not paying attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, you’re missing out on a key competitive advantage for your business. The security industry’s role in ESG performance has evolved far beyond compliance and reporting and can directly influence vendor selection, contract renewal and long-term partnerships. During the 2026 Security Industry Association (SIA) ESG Virtual Symposium, presented by SIA’s ESG Advisory Board and Built Environment Advisory Board, industry leaders from manufacturers, integrators, end users and sustainability experts explored how ESG is becoming increasingly integrated into business strategy, innovation, operations and customer value.  

Across discussions ranging from sustainable product design and artificial intelligence (AI) governance to human rights and energy efficiency, one message emerged clearly: ESG is most effective when it is embedded into everyday business decisions and tied directly to measurable outcomes.  

Sustainability Must Be Framed as a Business Strategy 

In the symposium keynote, Charles Robinson, vice president and head of sustainability at ASSA ABLOY, challenged attendees to rethink how sustainability is communicated and implemented. Rather than allowing ESG to remain a polarizing topic, he argued that organizations should focus on the business value it delivers through lower costs, reduced risk and growth opportunities.  

VIDEO: Keynote From ASSA ABLOY’S Charles Robinson

“We need to cut through the ambiguity, cut through the noise, clearly and unambiguously demonstrate the business benefits of sustainability,” said Robinson, who also noted that sustainability initiatives can help organizations reduce resource consumption, strengthen supply chain resilience and support customer goals. Robinson emphasized the significant role the security industry can play within the built environment, which accounts for a substantial share of global carbon emissions. 

Another notable takeaway was the need for resilience among sustainability professionals. 

“If you want to stay long in sustainability, you need to be resilient,” said Robinson. “Roll with the punches. Don’t get too excited when things are rolling well, and don’t get too down when you’re into the headwind. Just stay the course. It’s a long-term play.” 

Commercializing Sustainability Requires Cross-Functional Ownership 

A panel featuring leaders from ASSA ABLOY, HID and Minuteman Security and Life Safety reinforced that sustainability cannot be owned by a single department. Product development, manufacturing, procurement, marketing, sales and operations all contribute to successful ESG outcomes.  

VIDEO: Enterprise-Wide Sustainability Commercialization: How Every Business Unit Drives Value

Travis Hensley, global sustainability and safety manager at HID, summarized the challenge succinctly: “Sustainability doesn’t belong with the sustainability team.”  

Panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of connecting sustainability to business objectives rather than treating it as an isolated initiative. Whether improving fleet efficiency, reducing energy consumption or creating transparent product documentation, organizations see stronger adoption when ESG goals align with operational priorities and customer needs.  

The panel also highlighted growing customer demand for transparency, sustainability disclosures and product-level data. As procurement requirements evolve, ESG performance is increasingly influencing purchasing decisions and competitive differentiation.  

Transparency and Circularity Are Emerging Opportunities 

Looking ahead, panelists identified transparency and circular economy principles as major opportunities for the security industry. Digital product passports, product carbon footprints and enhanced sustainability disclosures are expected to become more important over the next several years.  

At the same time, manufacturers are exploring ways to design products for longer life cycles, reuse, remanufacturing and recyclability. Moving beyond a traditional “take-make-dispose” model will require collaboration across the value chain, but it presents opportunities to reduce waste while creating additional customer value.  

AI’s ESG Impact Demands New Thinking 

One of the symposium’s most timely discussions focused on artificial intelligence and responsible innovation. Speakers examined both AI’s growing environmental footprint and the governance challenges associated with deploying AI systems in security applications.  

Experts from Wavelynx, Brivo and Johnson Controls stressed the importance of visibility into AI usage, data governance and accountability. Organizations must understand not only where AI is being used, but also its energy consumption, data requirements and life cycle impacts. 

VIDEO: AI, ESG and Responsible Innovation: Understanding the Environmental and Governance Implications of Artificial Intelligence

A recurring theme was that responsible AI demands more than accuracy metrics. 

“The real question isn’t simply how accurate is the system,” said Angela Casesa, product manager, hardware at Wavelynx Technologies, “but for whom is it accurate, under what conditions and what happens when it’s wrong?” 

The discussion also emphasized maintaining a “human in the loop” approach when safety, access decisions or individual rights are involved.  

Energy Efficiency Is a Security Opportunity 

Another session focused on how security and building technologies can contribute directly to energy goals. Presenters demonstrated how access control, power over Ethernet (PoE) systems, energy management platforms and building automation technologies can help reduce energy consumption and operational costs.  

VIDEO: Efficient By Design: How Security and Building Products Contribute to Energy Goals

Examples included: 

• PoE-enabled access control systems that significantly reduce standby power consumption 
• Occupancy-based lighting and HVAC controls 
• Energy management systems that optimize building performance 
• Smart facilities that integrate security and energy management data  

The discussion reinforced a broader theme running throughout the event: sustainability investments often produce measurable operational and financial benefits while supporting environmental objectives.  

The “S” and “G” Matter Too 

ESG discussions frequently focus on environmental performance, but the symposium featured a thought-provoking exploration of social impact and governance. 

Speakers examined how security programs influence communities, human rights, employee well-being and stakeholder trust. Drawing on both North American and African perspectives, the session explored how organizations can balance risk management with broader social responsibilities. 

VIDEO: Beyond Borders: Security’s Strategic Role in Social Impact and Governance

Topics included: 

• Human rights due diligence 
• Community engagement 
• Stakeholder-centered decision making 
• Psychological safety 
• Governance frameworks and accountability 
• The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights  

The discussion highlighted the importance of understanding not only the risks organizations face, but also the potential impacts security practices can have on employees, contractors, communities and other stakeholders.  

Security Innovation and ESG Can Advance Together 

One of the most compelling examples came from Casper Eloff, head of corporate security at the Mosaic Company, who discussed the company’s transition from physical access cards to mobile credentials across its global operations. The initiative improved user experience, reduced administrative burden and eliminated significant plastic waste associated with traditional credentialing.  

VIDEO: What It Looks Like in the Building: AI, Occupants and Oversight

Meanwhile, the final session explored how AI is likely to reshape work itself. The presentation emphasized that AI is currently better positioned to automate tasks rather than entire jobs and that human accountability remains essential.  

Looking Forward 

The 2026 SIA ESG Virtual Symposium demonstrated that ESG is no longer a peripheral concern for the security industry—it is increasingly influencing product design, customer expectations, procurement decisions, technology deployment and corporate strategy.  

Whether discussing sustainability, AI governance, energy efficiency or social responsibility, speakers consistently returned to the same conclusion: the strongest ESG initiatives are those that create measurable value for customers, employees and businesses alike.  

For security industry professionals, the message was clear: ESG is not a separate initiative. It is becoming an integral part of how organizations innovate, operate and grow.  

Want more on this topic? You can watch the full symposium here. 

In creating this blog, content from SIA’s ESG Virtual Symposium was summarized using multiple large language models and reviewed by human editors.