Cisco: Hitting Net Zero Milestones with AI-Driven Efficiency

Global technology leader Cisco employs around 90,400 people across more than 275 offices in over 90 countries worldwide.

Bringing together networking, security, observability and collaboration, Cisco delivers essential infrastructure designed to help organisations succeed in the era of AI.

Across its global operations, the company integrates sustainable practices to enhance decarbonisation and improve energy efficiency throughout its supply chain.

Cisco’s FY25 Purpose Report underscores how sustainability is embedded across its business, driving positive impact for customers, communities and the environment.

Cisco’s sustainability commitments

Cisco’s core sustainability goal is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, targeting a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from its FY19 baseline.

The company measures progress through near-term milestones: reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% by FY25 and cutting Scope 3 emissions by 30% by FY30.

By the close of FY25, Cisco had reached its Scope 1 and 2 targets and achieved a 35% reduction in Scope 3 emissions.

To meet its near-term targets, Cisco applied a technology-driven approach to optimise its global operations, combining efficiency, data insights and decarbonisation initiatives.

In fiscal 2025, it executed 78 energy efficiency projects that collectively avoided around 27,200 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.

Leveraging AI and advanced analytics, Cisco monitored and fine-tuned energy use, airflow and cooling systems across its laboratories.

It also expanded the use of electric vehicles in its European leased car fleet, increasing adoption from 11% in FY2019 to 66% in FY25.

Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cisco, says: “In FY25, we delivered meaningful progress across our operations, products and value chain, reaching several important multi-year milestones that support energy efficiency, resilience and long-term value creation.

“I’m proud of the teams and partners behind this progress and the consistency and collaboration it takes to deliver results at scale.

“As we look ahead, we’ll continue focusing on solutions that help our customers operate more efficiently, build resilience and grow responsibly in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.”

Transforming circular design

Since 2019, Cisco has embedded its Circular Design Principles into product and packaging design to minimise waste and extend product lifecycles.​

By FY25, the company had achieved its goal for 100% of new Cisco products and packaging to meet these criteria.​

It also surpassed its target to cut foam use in product packaging by 75%, reaching a 78% reduction in FY25 compared with FY19 levels.​

The Circular Design Principles focus on using recycled materials, designing products for efficient packaging and transport, optimising components for repair or reuse and enabling smart energy consumption across the product lifecycle.

Promoting responsible AI

Cisco aims to be a leader in secure AI research, with a strong emphasis on deploying the technology responsibly.​

It places trust and transparency at the centre of its AI lifecycle, while actively encouraging other organisations to adopt similar governance standards.​

Cisco collaborates with government agencies, the private sector and international stakeholders to help shape national and global AI strategies, contributing expertise to strengthen regulation and public policy around AI.​

Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, says: “In this AI era, Cisco’s technology is more relevant than ever and the trust our customers and partners place in us has never mattered more.

“The innovation we are delivering today will undoubtedly shape the world we live in tomorrow and we know that aligning our technology with our Purpose – to Power an Inclusive Future for All – only amplifies our impact.

“We see this every day through all the meaningful ways our solutions make a difference.”

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.