DSRL

Initial manifesto · v0.1 · October 2026

The DSRL Manifesto

A first statement on digital sustainability readiness

Rafael Oliveira Rodrigues · digisustainability.io · ror@digisustainability.io

After 1 year of review, this is the first manifesto — produced with love at Impact Hub Zurich.

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Digital progress should advance human and planetary well-being, not make either an afterthought.

The Digital Sustainability Readiness Level (DSRL) is a proposed framework for helping organizations consider digital transformation and sustainability together. It asks two connected questions: how can digital capabilities contribute to positive environmental and social outcomes, and how can the impacts of digital systems themselves be understood and reduced?

It is a starting point for discussion and validation, not a completed standard, certification scheme, or claim of demonstrated impact.

Seven connected domains

  1. 1 · EIRL

    Environmental Impact & Resource Efficiency

    Assessment of environmental footprint reduction, resource optimization, and circular economy implementation through digital solutions

  2. 2 · DISRL

    Digital Infrastructure Sustainability

    Evaluation of green IT infrastructure, energy efficiency, sustainable cloud adoption, and eco-friendly technology deployment

  3. 3 · DASRL

    Data & Analytics for Sustainability

    Measuring data-driven sustainability decision making, environmental monitoring, and predictive analytics for resource optimization

  4. 4 · SBMIRL

    Sustainable Business Model Innovation

    Development of sustainable value propositions, revenue models that align with ESG goals, and digital-enabled sustainability services

  5. 5 · SESRL

    Stakeholder Engagement & Social Impact

    Stakeholder collaboration, social impact measurement, digital inclusion, and community engagement through digital platforms

  6. 6 · GCRL

    Governance & Compliance

    Sustainability governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, risk management, and transparent reporting systems

  7. 7 · ICEIRL

    Innovation & Circular Economy Integration

    Innovation processes for sustainability solutions, circular business model development, and ecosystem partnerships for sustainability

A nine-level progression

1

Unaware/Traditional

No established recognition or practice in the domain.

2

Emerging Awareness

Initial understanding; actions remain informal or isolated.

3

Initial Assessment

Early data, review, or assessment begins to establish a baseline.

4

Strategic Planning

Goals, responsibilities, and plans are defined.

5

Pilot Implementation

Approaches are tested in bounded settings and reviewed.

6

Scaling & Integration

Practices with evidence of value are expanded and integrated into operations.

7

Systematic Implementation

Responsibilities, processes, and monitoring are embedded across the organization.

8

Optimization & Leadership

Evidence and feedback support ongoing adaptation and optimization.

9

Transformative Impact

The organization demonstrates learning and leadership beyond its own boundaries.

An organization may be at different levels across domains; a single average should not hide that profile.

How DSRL should be used

As a structured self-assessment and learning aid: define the scope, gather relevant evidence, involve people with different responsibilities and perspectives, describe uncertainty, and turn findings into prioritized actions.

Start the self-assessment