Cisco speeds up drive to 100% renewables, commits to Net Zero by 2040

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Internet leviathan Cisco has pledged a speeded up deadline of 2024 to source every amp of electricity it uses worldwide from carbon-free generation.   Before yesterday’s announcement, it had been aiming for 85% by next year.

The milestone will mark a path to Net Zero operations by 2040 for the $223 billion router-maker, embracing its supply chain and customers’ use of its products, the company pledged yesterday.

The purveyor of intelligently wired boxes already uses 100% green electricity across its north American home territories and in six European markets. It now seeks to increase focus on PPAs and generation in emerging markets including India, China and east Europe.

The company had previously committed to reducing emissions from these fields by 60% by 2022, against a 2008 baseline. It says it is on track to reach this target.

Cisco also flagged yesterday a goal of 2025 as its deadline for Net Zero elimination of carbon pollution from its global Scope 1 and Scope 2 activities. These are respectively those it controls directly and those which it uses as inputs to production, such as energy purchase.

The corporation’s self-greening measures fall into its Powering an Inclusive Future for All programme.

Besides achieving ambitious sustainability goals like Net Zero, Cisco’s efforts under the scheme will encompass initiatives designed to close social ‘digital divides’, advance social justice, and build partner ecosystems of impact.

“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,” said Fran Katsoudas, Cisco’s chief officer for people, policy & purpose.

“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.”

In 2008 Cisco began setting five-year goals to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.  The new goals are ratified by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

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