Cisco, a technology leader, is committed to integrating sustainability into its core strategy and engaging its organization and partners to drive a sustainable future through “The Plan for Possible.” Its ambitious goal is to achieve Net Zero emissions across their value chain by 2040.

“As organizations in the Philippines accelerate their digital transformation journey, investments in technology offer them an opportunity to make a transition that is both digital and sustainable,” said Zaza Soriano-Nicart, managing director for the Philippines, Cisco.

“The Plan for Possible” encompasses various aspects, including optimizing business operations and aiding customers and communities in reducing their environmental impact.

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Clean energy

Cisco’s innovative Silicon One chip enhances energy efficiency and facilitates the transition to clean energy by digitizing the grid. This technology not only reduces energy consumption but also increases bandwidth. Also, Cisco’s Universal Power Over Ethernet (PoE) optimizes energy usage in smart buildings.

“With Cisco technology, we are helping power the world with affordable clean energy through digitizing smart grids and smart buildings, we are designing out waste by re-building products from used ones, and we are using the Internet of Things (IoT) to protect the world’s biodiversity,” said Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cisco. 

Circular economy

Cisco has introduced initiatives to promote the adoption of a circular economy within its ecosystem. These efforts include reusing, developing circular IT payment systems, and remanufacturing devices. Their goal is to incorporate circular design principles into 100% of new products and packaging by 2025.

To ensure the sustainability of these strategies, Cisco is investing in regenerative solutions. It aims to help communities adapt to climate change, nurture talent for the regenerative economy, and utilize technology to protect and restore ecosystems. In 2021, Cisco Foundation committed $100 million over a decade to climate solutions that reduce carbon emissions and regenerate ecosystems.

Country-specific initiatives

In the Philippines, Cisco has integrated sustainability into its local “Cisco Philippines Ugnayan 2030” program, aligned with the global Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) initiative. This involves investing in communities to develop climate-resilient technologies, capabilities, and talent.

“This is something that we have already embarked on with our Country Digital Acceleration program in the Philippines where we work closely with the Philippine government on a breadth of innovation projects to support the most critical business functions and accelerate their digital agendas,” Vish Iyer, Vice President of Architectures, APJC, Cisco, said in response to Back End News query. 

Iyer noted that in its partnership with the Baguio City government, Cisco is powering a Smart City Command Center that helps monitor real-time data on weather conditions and environmental pollutants, amongst other use cases.

Iyer emphasized Cisco’s commitment to sustainability in partnership with the Philippine government and local organizations, striving to align with the nation’s digital agenda and contribute to its sustainability journey. The CDA program serves as a strategic partnership to create value for the country, industries, and citizens while focusing on sustainability.