The Business Drivers of Sustainability

CISCO SYSTEMS

DRIVER 1: Improving the operations and supply chain processes.

Cisco systems supply chain processes accounted for huge amounts of GHG emissions into the environment. It had set goals in the year 2007 to reduce the GHG emissions at their facilities by 40% in 2017. To achieve this ambitious goal, various strategies were implemented.

A Greenhouse Gas remission reduction program was introduced to accelerate the prioritization towards the reduction of these gases and increase the reporting efforts. The goal was to have all the suppliers submit their emission reports and the methods to reduce these emissions by the year 2016.

As a result of these efforts, the GHG emissions were found to be reduced by 38.2% between the years 2007 to 2012. Approximately 6402 tons of CO2 emissions were avoided in the fiscal year15.

(“U.S. EPA Honors Cisco Systems for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA”, 2019)

DRIVER 2: Technological advancement and innovation.

Cisco is a leading organization in developing and implementing sustainability strategies. Cisco since 2001 has partnered with UNV to make generations of youth that are socially aware, technically sound, critical problem solvers and innovators.

Cisco & UNV have mobilized their own Cisco Networking Academy Program in various regions that will make efforts towards this cause. This initiative provides children and the youth an opportunity of exposure to international development.

As a result of this, there are many Youth Volunteers contributing their innovative ideas and newer perspectives and skills for the organizations to learn.

(“Supporting innovation in development: CISCO expands its partnership with UNV | UNV”, 2019)

DRIVER 3: Being more conscious while using plastic in the operations & manufacturing process.

The main goal of this driver is to implement techniques that will reduce the transport foot printing effects and hence reduce the usage of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that are harmful to the environment.

To achieve this goal, Cisco used the strategy of consolidating the packaging by firstly eliminating the extra packaging through the transportation of assembled products which prevented the packaging needed for 10 different elements. The foam cushions, corrugated boards and wood were eliminated manufacturing the packaging. After the removal of extra packaging, Cisco focused on making the packaging that is being used greener and environmental friendly. Efforts were also put into developing packaging made from recycled products.

As a result of this, Cisco made significant savings in cost which rounded up to approximately $38.3 million.

(“Cisco’s Packaging Diet: Just How Sustainable is It?”, 2019)

Approximately 413 tons of raw material usage in packaging (wood, plastic, corrugated boards etc.) was avoided in the FY15. Not just this but, sensors were installed in the manufacturing facilities to keep a track of the materials used and help in informed decision making processes.

(“U.S. EPA Honors Cisco Systems for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA”, 2019)

REFERENCES

1. U.S. EPA Honors Cisco Systems for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA. (2019). Retrieved from https://archive.epa.gov/epa/newsreleases/us-epa-honors-cisco-systems-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html
2. Supporting innovation in development: CISCO expands its partnership with UNV | UNV. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.unv.org/news/supporting-innovation-development-cisco-expands-its-partnership-unv
3. Cisco’s Packaging Diet: Just How Sustainable is It?. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/10/11/ciscos-packaging-diet-just-how-sustainable-it