Local weather change is each an pressing concern needing fast motion and a subject that requires long-term planning for constructive transformation. Balancing these two horizons generally is a problem and key to creating progress is defining a north star. Three years in the past, Cisco introduced its north star: a aim to succeed in web zero greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions throughout our price chain by 2040, and in 2022 that aim was authorised by the Science-Primarily based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, we revealed The Plan for Doable, Cisco’s subsequent technology environmental sustainability technique. Aligned with the work we are going to do to succeed in web zero, one of many key pillars in our technique is accelerating the transition to scrub power.
As we have a good time our three-year anniversary, we wish to spotlight a number of the progress we’ve made thus far and sit up for what options could be out there to assist us, and the planet, on our journey to web zero.
Our journey thus far
In alignment with local weather science, our web zero aim encompasses our price chain, which incorporates each our suppliers’ and our prospects’ use of power. Listed here are a number of methods Cisco has been addressing this and actions you might think about to scale back your group’s footprint:
- Direct operational emissions: We’re rising the power effectivity of our buildings, with a give attention to electrification, to scale back emissions from our operations. We’ve got additionally been working to transition our car fleet to electrical autos (EVs).
- Oblique operational emissions: Cisco joined the RE100 initiative, which brings collectively companies dedicated to sourcing one hundred pc renewable electrical energy. Past serving to us tackle our personal objectives, becoming a member of RE100 helps our ambition to extend clear power entry and contributes to personal sector demand for renewables.
- Worth chain emissions: We additionally set a aim that 80 % of Cisco element, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers by spend may have a public, absolute GHG emissions discount goal by fiscal 12 months (FY) 2025. As of FY23, 92 % of those suppliers have a public, absolute GHG discount aim.
Observe: Direct operational emissions are Cisco’s Scope 1 emissions; oblique operational emissions are Cisco’s Scope 2 emissions; worth chain emissions are Cisco’s Scope 3 emissions, as outlined by the Greenhouse Gasoline (GHG) Protocol. Be taught extra about how company GHG emissions are calculated on this weblog.
What the long run might convey
In our work to advance Cisco’s web zero aim, we’re encountering many new alternatives that might doubtlessly assist different firms, nations, and even particular person cities attain their web zero objectives as effectively. Listed here are a number of notable examples:
- Synthetic Intelligence (AI) and sustainability: As AI adoption spreads throughout totally different sectors, it opens quite a few alternatives for local weather change mitigation and adaptation by predictive analytics, information evaluation, and machine studying. For instance, AI may help scale back power and water use by real-time monitoring and management.
- Local weather know-how investments: Local weather know-how goals to search out revolutionary options to local weather change, like good grids that monitor and handle the distribution of electrical energy extra effectively, and units that seize CO2 emissions. Local weather investing has grown over the previous few years, with greater than 330 new sustainability, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and impression funds launched from 2019 by 2022. Globally, annual clear power know-how investments are anticipated to exceed $900 billion by 2030, serving to to spur innovation.
- Accelerating the transition to scrub power: Clear power adoption is on the rise. Wind and photo voltaic power overtook fossil gas energy within the EU for the primary time for the primary six months of 2024, and the Worldwide Power Company (IEA) now tasks that demand for sure fossil fuels will peak this decade even with none new local weather insurance policies. Growing the usage of renewables, enhancing power effectivity, lowering methane emissions, and enhancing electrification can obtain over 80% of emissions reductions wanted by 2030.
Working collectively towards web zero
Progressing towards web zero is a process that requires the collective effort of people, companies, and governments. We’re proud to be main this vital work for Cisco, and to be collaborating with companions, prospects, suppliers and different stakeholders to show the imaginative and prescient of a web zero future into actuality.
Go to Cisco’s ESG Reporting Hub to be taught extra about our environmental objectives.
Share:
