Cisco 700-245 - Environmental Sustainability Practice-Building(ESPB)

Three key factors driving the growth ofSmart buildingsin the coming years are:

Customer demands (B):Customers are increasingly seeking energy-efficient, sustainable, and tech-enabled spaces that enhance comfort and reduce operating costs. Smart buildings, equipped with IoT and data analytics, provide a higher level of efficiency and adaptability, making them attractive to businesses and consumers.

Government-sponsored smart infrastructure projects (D):Many governments are investing insmart infrastructureprojects to promote sustainability and energy efficiency in urban development. These projects encourage the adoption of smart building technologies to meet sustainability goals, reduce energy consumption, and improve public infrastructure.

Increases in energy costs and consumption (F):Rising energy costs are a significant driver for adopting smart building technologies, which can optimize energy use and reduce utility bills. Advanced systems like smart sensors and automated energy management help minimize waste and ensure efficient use of resources, providing long-term cost savings.

Environmental Sustainability References:

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021).Smart Buildings: Trends and Drivers for Growth.

World Economic Forum. (2021).Smart Building Technologies and the Future of Urban Development.

Cisco. (2022).Customer and Regulatory Drivers for Smart Building Adoption.

Hybrid workstrengthens sustainability practices bylowering emissions. By enabling employees to work from home part-time, hybrid work reduces the need for daily commuting, which cuts down on transportation-related carbon emissions. Additionally, with fewer employees in the office at any given time, businesses can reduce energy consumption in office buildings for lighting, heating, cooling, and equipment usage. As companies shift to this model, it promotes a smaller environmental footprint by optimizing both office space and energy use.

Hybrid work also supports sustainable business strategies by encouraging the use of digital tools and cloud-based technologies, further minimizing the environmental impact of physical operations.

Environmental Sustainability References:

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2020).Impact of Remote and Hybrid Work on Reducing Emissions.

World Economic Forum. (2021).How Hybrid Work Models Contribute to Corporate Sustainability.

Cisco. (2021).The Role of Hybrid Work in Reducing Carbon Emissions.

A corporation's sustainability goals and metrics should be recorded inCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports. These reports outline the company's sustainability efforts, including environmental goals, social contributions, and ethical practices. CSR reports provide transparency regarding a company’s sustainability initiatives and track progress toward targets such as reducing carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency, and promoting responsible waste management.

Customers can use these reports to understand what a corporation aims to achieve in terms of sustainability and how these goals align with broader environmental and social responsibilities.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2021).Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting Framework.

Harvard Business Review. (2020).The Importance of CSR Reports in Business Sustainability Efforts.

United Nations Global Compact. (2021).CSR Reporting and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment.

RACHEL(Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) is an innovative device that acts as aminiature internet with built-in servers and Wi-Fi routers. It is designed to bring educational resources to remote areas without reliable internet access. The device stores a large amount of offline content, such as educational materials, Wikipedia articles, Khan Academy videos, and open-source textbooks, which can be accessed by users via Wi-Fi without needing an internet connection. This is a powerful tool for promoting education in underserved regions, particularly in developing countries or areas affected by limited infrastructure.

By enabling access to educational content without internet connectivity, RACHEL supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education and reducing inequalities.

Environmental Sustainability References:

World Possible. (2020).RACHEL – Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021).The Role of Technology in Expanding Access to Education.

Operating a more sustainable practice offers two significant benefits:

Allows partners to meet Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements (A):Many organizations, especially in the public and corporate sectors, now require sustainability commitments in their RFPs. By incorporating sustainable practices, partners can better meet these requirements, which increases their chances of winning contracts and expanding business opportunities.

Provides access to green recovery funds (C):Governments and financial institutions are increasingly offering green recovery funds or incentives to organizations that focus on sustainability. These funds help businesses transition to more sustainable operations, offering financial support for green initiatives like energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction. Access to such funds can provide a competitive advantage and reduce operational costs.

Environmental Sustainability References:

European Commission. (2021).Green Recovery: Supporting Businesses to Transition to Sustainability.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2022).Sustainable Procurement and Meeting RFP Requirements.

World Bank. (2021).Green Funds for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Business Development.

Cisco has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 across its entire value chain. This ambitious target includes not only reducing direct emissions from its operations (Scope 1) and purchased energy (Scope 2) but also addressing indirect emissions from its products, services, and supply chain (Scope 3). Cisco’s approach includes adopting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency in its products and operations, and working with suppliers to minimize their carbon footprint.

The company’s sustainability strategy is aligned with global efforts to combat climate change, including the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021). Cisco's Net Zero Commitment: Path to 2040.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). Corporate Net Zero Goals and Emissions Reductions.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021). Net Zero Emissions Commitments and Corporate Responsibility.

Globally,90% of wastewaterreturns to the environment untreated. This untreated wastewater, which includes industrial, agricultural, and household waste, leads to widespread pollution of rivers, lakes, and oceans, posing serious risks to ecosystems, human health, and water quality. The lack of proper wastewater treatment is especially prevalent in developing regions, where infrastructure and resources for waste management are often limited.

Effective wastewater management and treatment are crucial for protecting water resources and supporting sustainability goals, such as those outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Environmental Sustainability References:

United Nations World Water Development Report (UNWWDR). (2021).Wastewater: The Untreated Crisis.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2020).Global Wastewater Management and Environmental Impact.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020).Wastewater Treatment and Sustainable Development.

Cisco has pledged to achievenet-zero emissions by 2040across its entire value chain, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This comprehensive target includes reducing direct emissions (Scope 1), emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), and indirect emissions across the supply chain and product lifecycle (Scope 3). Cisco’s strategy includes increasing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and developing circular economy practices to ensure this goal is met. The company is also committed to meeting interim goals by 2030, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90%.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Cisco's 2040 Net-Zero Emissions Pledge.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021).Corporate Commitments to Achieve Net-Zero by 2040.

World Economic Forum. (2021).Pathways to Net-Zero: Cisco’s Leadership in Climate Action.

TheInternet of Things (IoT)technology helps track resources and assets, monitor utilization, and generate data insights to minimize waste. IoT devices are equipped with sensors that collect real-time data on the usage and performance of equipment, resources, and other assets. This data can be used to optimize operations, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste by enabling better decision-making. For example, IoT can track energy usage in buildings, monitor supply chain efficiency, and predict maintenance needs, which ultimately contributes to more sustainable and efficient practices.

IoT is a key component of smart buildings, sustainable manufacturing, and energy management systems.

Environmental Sustainability References:

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021).IoT Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction.

Cisco. (2022).The Role of IoT in Sustainable Resource Management.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).How IoT is Driving Sustainability and Efficiency in Business Operations.