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Our Net Zero Goal

Cisco has a goal to reach net zero across its value chain by 2040. This goal is validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

What is net zero?

We have pledged to reduce our emission by at least 90% by 2040 (compared to our base year of 2019). We will invest in verified carbon removals to compensate for any residual emissions.

Understanding corporate emissions

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, an organization that provides the world's most widely used GHG accounting standards, has defined three “scopes” of emissions for corporations.

Scopes of emissions

Scope 1

Direct emissions from operations owned by the company

Examples: Fuel used to heat buildings, gas and diesel for company vehicles

Scope 2

Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling

Examples: Electricity used in company buildings

Scope 3

All other indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain

Examples: Employee business travel and commuting, supplier manufacturing emissions, electricity used to power Cisco sold products

Cisco’s carbon footprint

98% of our emissions come from our value chain, so working closely with our customers and suppliers is a key part of our journey to net zero.

See our emissions data

Examples of how we are reducing emissions

Innovating to increase the energy efficiency of our products

Investing in renewable energy for our facilities

Optimizing our packaging to reduce shipping weight and volume

Helping our customers optimize energy use in their networks

Helping suppliers reduce their energy and fuel consumption

Optimizing energy use in the buildings we own and lease

The story behind our goal

Third-party validation

We announced our goal to reach net zero across our value chain in September 2021. In July 2022, we achieved third-party validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which demonstrates that we are prioritizing deep emissions reductions to reach net zero. This builds on our history of setting meaningful goals, measuring our progress, and reporting transparently.

Our interim targets

We are measuring progress toward net zero by 2040 through these targets: 

  • 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by fiscal 2025 (FY19 base year)1
  • 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution, and use of sold products by 2030 (FY19 base year)2
  • 90% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 by 2040 (FY19 base year)3

1Goal met

2Includes a subset of Scope 3 Category 1 (purchased goods and services from manufacturing, component, and warehouse suppliers), a subset of Scope 3 Category 4 (upstream transportation and distribution from Cisco purchased air transportation), and all of Scope 3 Category 11 (use of sold products)

3We intend to neutralize the remaining 10% of emissions by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere

Learn more about sustainability topics

Our Sustainability 101 blog series explains environmental terms that may come up in your business conversations around sustainability and energy efficiency.  

Our Clean Energy Playbook can help companies get started on or expand their clean energy strategies.

Explore the series Read the playbook

Cisco Purpose Report

Driven by our Purpose, we combine our technology, people, and broader networks to address society's greatest challenges.

Learn about our Purpose Read our FY25 Purpose Report

Power an Inclusive Future for All

Cisco Purpose Reporting Hub

Find in-depth reporting on our latest impact, goals, and progress.

Explore Purpose Reporting Hub