Local weather change is each an pressing challenge needing speedy motion and a subject that requires long-term planning for optimistic 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 purpose to succeed in web zero greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions throughout our worth chain by 2040, and in 2022 that purpose was authorised by the Science-Primarily based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, we revealed The Plan for Doable, Cisco’s subsequent era environmental sustainability technique. Aligned with the work we’ll do to succeed in web zero, one of many key pillars in our technique is accelerating the transition to scrub vitality.
As we have fun our three-year anniversary, we need to spotlight a few of the progress we’ve made thus far and sit up for what options may be obtainable 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 purpose encompasses our worth chain, which incorporates each our suppliers’ and our clients’ use of vitality. Listed here are a number of methods Cisco has been addressing this and actions you could think about to cut back your group’s footprint:
- Direct operational emissions: We’re rising the vitality effectivity of our buildings, with a deal with electrification, to cut 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 deal with our personal targets, 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 purpose that 80 % of Cisco element, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers by spend could have a public, absolute GHG emissions discount goal by fiscal yr (FY) 2025. As of FY23, 92 % of those suppliers have a public, absolute GHG discount purpose.
Be aware: 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 could deliver
In our work to advance Cisco’s web zero purpose, we’re encountering many new alternatives that would probably assist different corporations, nations, and even particular person cities attain their web zero targets 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 via predictive analytics, information evaluation, and machine studying. For instance, AI will help cut back vitality and water use via real-time monitoring and management.
- Local weather know-how investments: Local weather know-how goals to search out modern options to local weather change, like good grids that monitor and handle the distribution of electrical energy extra effectively, and gadgets 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 via 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 Power Company (IEA) now initiatives that demand for sure fossil fuels will peak this decade even with none new local weather insurance policies. Growing the usage of renewables, bettering vitality effectivity, decreasing 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 activity 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, clients, 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 targets.
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