Our Commitment to Net Zero
Cisco is helping to power an inclusive and sustainable future.
Climate science says we must halve global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Cisco is helping achieve this goal.
Our goals
We have set near- and long-term science-based targets to reduce our GHG emissions.
2025
90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2025 *
* Compared to fiscal 2019. We will neutralize any remaining emissions by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere.
2030
30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution, and use of sold products by 2030**
** Compared to fiscal 2019.
2040
We will reach net zero emissions across our value chain by 2040 ***
*** By reducing our absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions 90% compared to fiscal 2019 and neutralizing any remaining emissions by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere.
How we will get to net zero
Continue to increase the energy efficiency of our products and solutions
Further embed circular economy principles across our business
Accelerate the use of renewable energy
Embrace hybrid work
Invest in innovative carbon removal solutions
Validating our goal
Third-party validation
Cisco's 2040 net-zero target and near- and long-term targets are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) under its new Net-Zero Standard, the world's first framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. This builds on our history of setting meaningful goals, measuring our progress and impact, and reporting on them transparently.
The meaning of SBTi validation
SBTi validation demonstrates that we are prioritizing deep emissions reductions to reach net zero. We set a long-term science-based target to reduce our absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions 90% by 2040 compared to our 2019 fiscal year.
- We will neutralize remaining emissions by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere through credible emissions removal projects.
- Our approach meets SBTi requirements that net zero be achieved primarily through emissions reductions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
Evolution of our net-zero commitment
We publicly announced net-zero goals in September 2021. In July 2022, we enhanced those goals to achieve third-party validation from SBTi. Specifically, we 1) refined the language used to describe our near-term Scope 1 & 2 emissions goal for 2025 to be more specific and to align with SBTi methodology, and 2) we set an additional near-term Scope 3 emissions goal for 2030 to address the use of sold products, which is the largest source of our emissions.
NOTE: Our near-term Scope 1 and 2 target, as validated under the SBTi Net-Zero Standard requirements, is a 90% reduction by 2030 because SBTi requires at least a 5-year timeline for emissions reduction targets. However, our intention is to achieve a 90% reduction by 2025 and maintain that level of decarbonization through 2040.
Net zero news
Net zero methodology
How we calculate product use emissions.
Cisco Chat
A conversation on Cisco's net zero goal.
Journey to net zero
Cisco commits to net zero by 2040.
ESG Reporting Hub and 2021 Cisco Purpose Report
Cisco is putting people, technology, and resources toward Powering an Inclusive Future for All, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Visit our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting Hub.
