Cisco targets 25% GHG emission cut

As part of an ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Cisco announced that it has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its worldwide operations by 25 percent over the next four years, reaching its goal in absolute terms by 2012.

The company will deploy a unique multi-pronged approach focused on the power of technology to meet its objectives and to demonstrate how customers can do the same. 

Cisco chairman and chief executive officer John Chambers outlined the plan at Cisco Live!, the company’s annual information technology (IT) and communications conference.

In his keynote speech, Chambers discussed the transformative effect that IT can have on the world’s environmental challenges and demonstrated Cisco’s commitment to sustainability in its operations, culture, products and customer solutions. 

“Every corporation has a responsibility to help address climate change and to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment,” Chambers said.

“Cisco is approaching this challenge not only by curbing our own company’s greenhouse gas emissions but also by taking advantage of the power of networking technology to better manage our environmental concerns. By deploying innovative information technology solutions and using the network as a platform for 21st-century environmental management, we believe we can significantly alter our greenhouse gas footprint and help our customers meet their sustainability goals,” he added.

Cisco is a member of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program, an industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies.

Over the last six months, Cisco has worked with the EPA as well as other parties such as the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and sustainability consulting firm Domani to assess its worldwide GHG footprint, validate its metrics and establish aggressive, achievable goals.

In calendar year 2007, Cisco’s gross GHG footprint was 832,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e). This footprint includes emissions from Cisco’s globally owned and leased facilities, vehicles and airline travel.

Based on the EPA Climate Leaders protocol, this figure is net 724,000 metric tons of CO2e. With Chambers’ announcement, Cisco aims to reduce its GHG emissions by 2012 to a net footprint of 543,000 metric tons of CO2e.