Three years of progress on the pathway to internet zero

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Local weather change is each an pressing situation 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 internet zero greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions throughout our price chain by 2040, and in 2022 that aim was accepted 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 internet zero, one of many key pillars in our technique is accelerating the transition to scrub vitality.

As we have a good time our three-year anniversary, we need to spotlight among the progress we’ve made to date and look forward to what options is likely to be accessible to assist us, and the planet, on our journey to internet zero.

Our journey to date

In alignment with local weather science, our internet zero aim encompasses our price chain, which incorporates each our suppliers’ and our prospects’ use of vitality. Listed here are a number of methods Cisco has been addressing this and actions chances are you’ll take into account to scale back your group’s footprint:

Direct operational emissions: We’re growing the vitality effectivity of our buildings, with a give attention to electrification, to scale back emissions from our operations. Now we have 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 100% renewable electrical energy. Past serving to us handle our personal objectives, becoming a member of RE100 helps our ambition to extend clear vitality entry and contributes to non-public sector demand for renewables.
Worth chain emissions: We additionally set a aim that 80 % of Cisco element, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers by spend could 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 Fuel (GHG) Protocol. Be taught extra about how company GHG emissions are calculated on this weblog.

What the longer term could convey

In our work to advance Cisco’s internet zero aim, we’re encountering many new alternatives that would probably assist different firms, international locations, and even particular person cities attain their internet zero objectives as effectively. Listed here are a number of notable examples:

Synthetic Intelligence (AI) and sustainability: As AI adoption spreads throughout completely different sectors, it opens quite a few alternatives for local weather change mitigation and adaptation by means of predictive analytics, information evaluation, and machine studying. For instance, AI may help scale back vitality and water use by means of 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 sensible 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 affect funds launched from 2019 by means of 2022. Globally, annual clear vitality know-how investments are anticipated to exceed $900 billion by 2030, serving to to spur innovation.
Accelerating the transition to scrub vitality: Clear vitality adoption is on the rise. Wind and photo voltaic vitality overtook fossil gas energy within the EU for the primary time for the primary six months of 2024, and the Worldwide Vitality Company (IEA) now tasks that demand for sure fossil fuels will peak this decade even with none new local weather insurance policies. Rising the usage of renewables, enhancing vitality effectivity, decreasing methane emissions, and enhancing electrification can obtain over 80% of emissions reductions wanted by 2030.

Working collectively towards internet zero

Progressing towards internet zero is a job 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 internet zero future into actuality.