Cisco commits to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040

Cisco announced that it is committing to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all scopes by 2040, ten years before climate experts predict that the world will need to reach net-zero to prevent the worst effects of climate change. Cisco’s net-zero aim will be bolstered by aggressive near-term goals, such as achieving net-zero emissions for all worldwide Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025.

Other near-term goals will include the company’s most important Scope 3 areas, such as the usage of sold products and supply chain emissions, and will be announced later in 2021. Cisco will report progress on these targets in its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Impact Report, and the new greenhouse gas reduction goals will be based on the most recent climate science.

This announcement is a significant step forward in Cisco’s mission to “Power an Inclusive Future for All.” Cisco’s efforts to achieve this goal will include investments and initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide, increasing social justice, forming impact partner ecosystems, and defining and achieving ambitious sustainability goals like today’s net-zero commitment.

“The devastating effects of the climate disasters over the past few weeks could not be a clearer sign of the urgent need to address climate change now,” said Reem Asaad, Vice President, Cisco Middle East and Africa.

Further stated, “As a global technology leader, we must set the standard for sustainable business practices and support our customers, partners, and suppliers in their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment as well.”

Since 2008, Cisco has established and achieved goals to minimise GHG emissions at its facilities and throughout its supply chain. Cisco will employ the following strategies to achieve net zero:

• Continuing to increase the energy efficiency of our products through innovative product design
• Accelerating use of renewable energy
• Embracing hybrid work
• Investing in carbon removal solutions
• Further embedding sustainability and circular economy principles across our business

Cisco has been working toward a sustainable future for more than 15 years, cutting emissions, reducing waste, developing more efficient products, and setting and accomplishing ambitious targets.

• Cisco has established and met a series of five-year goals to minimise Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions since 2008. The Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) has accepted the existing aim of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% by FY22 (relative to FY07), and we are on course to fulfil it.

• Cisco has reached 100 percent renewable energy in a number of places across the world, and it is on track to meet its target of using renewable energy for at least 85 percent of Cisco’s global electricity by FY22.

• In terms of Scope 3 emissions, Cisco was a year ahead of schedule in 2019 in achieving a goal of avoiding 1 million metric tonnes of CO2e in our supply chain through a variety of actions, including increased use of ocean shipments, redesigned product packaging, and energy management at our contract manufacturing partners. We subsequently set a new target of reducing Scope 3GHG emissions by 30% in absolute terms by FY30 (compared to FY19).

• Cisco is committed to creating and managing its products and packaging in such a way that they may be reused, repaired, and recycled with minimal waste. Cisco plans to implement Circular Design Principles into 100 percent of new Cisco products and packaging by 2025. Cisco also continues to offer and improve its product service, takeback, and reuse initiatives, supporting CEO Chuck Robbins’ 100 percent product return goal announced as part of the PACE Capital Equipment Coalition at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2018.