Potential benefits for future generations and the environment

• It is possible to power the world with affordable clean energy, so we are helping to digitize smart grids and smart buildings.​
• It is possible to design out waste, so we are re-building products from used ones.​
• It is possible to strengthen nature with technology, so we are using the Internet of Things (IoT) to protect the world’s biodiversity.​

• This is The Plan for Possible, Cisco’s next generation environmental sustainability strategy.

  The progress we make in this decade will be critical for future generations. We’re aligning our environmental strategy to rise to this challenge.

  

  Priority 1: Transition to clean energy​

  To power the world with renewables, the grid requires updated digital infrastructure to connect diverse, decentralized sources of clean energy. But even as the world electrifies, we must simultaneously reduce the amount of energy used by a connected economy. As a part of this priority, we’ve also set a goal to reach Net Zero across our value chain by 2040, which includes both our supplier and our customer use of energy.

  How we’ll do it:​

  • Lead in energy efficiency innovation​
  • Connect clean energy and digitize the grid​.
  • Collaborate with our customers, partners, and suppliers to accelerate the energy transition.

  Examples of where we’ve already made an impact:

  • Developing the Silicon One chip to reduce energy consumption while increasing bandwidth​.
  • Pioneering Universal Power Over Ethernet (PoE) to optimize energy use for smart buildings. ​
  • Helping our supply chain set GHG reduction targets*​
  • Partnering to digitize Enel Group’s grid through smarter networks.

  Priority 2: Evolve the business to circular​.

  Now is the time to transition from an economy that extracts resources and eventually wastes them, to a circular one which finds new uses for products and their inputs. We aim to transform our business to extend the useful life of our products and provide ongoing services.

  How we’ll do it:​

  • Adopt and scale business models to extend the value of our products and reduce environmental impacts​.
  • Invest in technology incubation to be at pace with environmental science​.
  • Champion a digital, nature-positive value chain leveraging our role as one of the largest telecom device companies in the world.

  Examples of where we’ve already made an impact:

  • Incorporating circular design principles into 100 percent of new products and packaging by 2025
  • Offering the Cisco Takeback and Reuse Program, which lets customers return hardware that has reached end-of-use, at no cost.
  • Creating the Green Pay circular IT payment solution, increasing value for our customers and our resale business​.
  • Remanufacturing devices through Cisco Refresh to give them a new life for our business and planet. ​

  Priority 3: Invest in resilient ecosystems​.

  Thriving economies depend on stable environments and inclusive societies. Our value chains benefit from resilient ecosystems, both financial and ecological. It is in our shared interest to help humans and nature navigate a changing climate by investing in regenerative technologies, workforces, and nature itself.

  How we’ll do it:​

  • Enable communities to adapt to climate realities​.
  • Cultivate skills and talent for the regenerative economy​.
  • Deploy Cisco technology to protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity​.
  • Harness artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and blockchain to advance regenerative models, powered by energy-efficient infrastructure.

  Examples of where we’ve already made an impact:

  • Powering Vibrant Planet’s Data Commons platform to better manage local land use and plan for risks like wildfires*​*
  • Enhancing London’s Canary Wharf with a connected landscape to optimize the space for engaging with nature​.
  • Providing analysis capabilities for Vesta to optimize placement of its low-energy carbon sequestration*​*
  • Supporting Kara Solar in training Indigenous peoples in the Amazon to build and operate solar-powered boats**

  Powering possible with enhanced governance​

  We are embedding sustainability into the way we operate. We intend to stay aligned with the pace of science while ensuring support from the entire organization. The holistic pursuit of equity and sustainability is the only path forward that allows us to maintain the public’s trust in our values.

  By pursuing what’s possible, we can accelerate the transition into the digital age while maintaining the health of the planet — and a climate future we all need and desire for future generations to come.

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200511124444.htm