700-240 Cisco Environmental Sustainability Overview(CESO) Questions and Answers

Cisco has set a goal for 70% of its component and manufacturing suppliers to achieve a zero-waste diversion rate at one or more sites by 2025. This initiative is part of Cisco’s broader effort to promote sustainability and reduce waste across its supply chain. Achieving a zero-waste diversion rate means thatvirtually all waste materials are reused, recycled, or composted, and nothing is sent to landfills or incineration without energy recovery. This target is part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, as detailed in their corporate social responsibility reports and environmental sustainability strategies​https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/environmental-impact-in-ciscos-supply-chain

Fluorinated gases and methane are two significant greenhouse gases (GHGs). Methane is a potent GHG that contributes to global warming and is a focus of many environmental sustainability efforts, including Cisco’s GHG emission reduction initiatives. Fluorinated gases, although present in smaller quantities, have a high global warming potential and are also targeted in sustainability strategies. Cisco’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions is a key part of their environmental goals, as outlined in their Net Zero Emissions strategy.

Cisco plans to reduce plastic packaging by 75% (measured by weight) by 2025. This effort is part of Cisco's larger strategy to minimize its environmental footprint and promote sustainability across its operations. Reducing plastic use helps mitigate pollution, decrease dependency on fossil fuels, and supports the transition to more sustainable materials. Cisco's environmental sustainability documents outline various measures, including redesigning packaging, using alternative materials, and improving recycling processes to achieve this goal.

The Cisco Foundation has committed $100 million over a ten-year period to address the growing climate crisis. This investment supports initiatives and projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and advancing sustainability efforts. Cisco's Environmental Sustainability documents highlight this financial commitment as part of the company's broader strategy to combat climate change and promote a sustainable future.

Circular Consumption involves reducing consumption and using renewable sources across Cisco's value chain. This principle aims to minimize resource use and environmental impact while promoting sustainability. By focusing on renewable resources and efficient consumption, Cisco contributes to a more sustainable circular economy, aligning with global sustainability goals and reducing its overall environmental footprint.

The packaging for the Catalyst IR8140 Heavy Duty Router is the first solution at Cisco to use a fiber-flute material suited to protect heavier products. This innovation saves approximately 1,054 pounds of foam every year. This change not only reduces waste but also aligns with Cisco’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint through innovative packaging solutions. Detailed information on Cisco's packaging initiatives can be found in their environmental sustainability reports​ (Impakter)​.https://impakter.com/index/cisco-sustainability-report/

Approximately 470 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year. This substantial amount of plastic production underscores the importance of recycling and sustainable waste management practices to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste. Cisco, along with other global companies, is actively working to reduce plastic use and promote recycling as part of their broader sustainability efforts​ (EcoWatch)​​ (OECD)​​ (RubyHome)​.https://www.rubyhome.com/blog/recycling-stats/

https://www.ecowatch.com/recycling-stats.html

Greenhouse gases include a variety of gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, with fluorinated gases being one of them. These gases are synthetic and used in various industrial applications but have a high global warming potential. Cisco's Environmental Sustainability documents recognize the importance of managing and reducing emissions of all types of greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change.

The internationally accepted standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) is the ISO 14001 certification. This standard helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders. ISO 14001 provides a framework for organizations to protect the environment and respond to changing environmental conditions in balance with socio-economic needs. Cisco, like many other leading organizations, adheres to this standard to ensure its environmental management practices are effective and continuously improving. More information can be found in Cisco’s sustainability and environmental documentation on their ESG Reporting Hub.