Cisco To Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions With The Help Of Partners
The tech giant has publicly committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, which includes its own operations and supply chain. Cisco is also investing million to help partners lower their own carbon footprints.
Cisco Systems is pledging to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, including its own operations, product use, and supply chain, the company announced on Thursday.
The tech giant is also investing millions through its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program to help its partners and end customers lower their own carbon footprints and meet sustainability goals.
Specifically, the CDA program is rolling out a Sustainability Partner Innovation Challenge that will challenge Cisco’s partner ecosystem to develop proofs of concept aimed at solving the sustainability issues, according to the San Jose, Calif.-based company.
Under CEO Chuck Robbins, Cisco’s commitment to giving to the global community is “world class,” said Kent MacDonald, senior vice president of strategic alliances at Long View Systems, a Calgary, Alberta-based solution provider and longtime Cisco partner.
“From the company’s COVID-19 response, to diversity and inclusion, to racial justice, and now a commitment to zero greenhouse emissions, these commitments make me very proud to be a Cisco Partner and I welcome the opportunity to partner with Cisco on this journey,” MacDonald said.
Cisco’s CDA has more than 1,000 active or completed projects across 43 countries, according to the company.
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Cisco will also announce more near-term emissions-reduction targets for its most material emissions, the company said in its blog post.
“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,” Fran Katsoudas, Cisco’s chief people, policy and purpose officer, said in the blog. “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.”
The most recent sustainability announcement follows a busy year for the tech giant. In addition to its technology and product-related innovations, Cisco has been focused on its “Inclusive Future“ strategy, which includes social justice and global health initiatives, and closing the digital divide.
The company in June 2020 postponed its virtual Cisco Live event in light of worldwide outcry over the death of George Floyd and resulting protests. Cisco the next day followed up with plans to donate $5 million to several groups focused on social justice causes, including the Equal Justice Initiative, the Legal Defense Fund, Color Of Change, Black Lives Matter, and the company‘s own fund for fighting racism and discrimination.
Cisco in March 2020 revealed it would dedicate $225 million in cash and product donations to support both global and local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.