Cisco Systems, Inc. - CSCO STOCK NEWS

Cisco Systems has outlined six key environmental sustainability trends for 2025 and beyond, addressing urgent climate challenges and resource scarcity. The trends include:

1. Digitizing the grid: Modernizing energy infrastructure to support AI integration and enhance efficiency.

2. Circular economy transition: Targeting 100% incorporation of Circular Design Principles in new products by FY2025, currently at 96%.

3. Innovation investment: Supporting clean energy technology through partnerships and the Cisco Foundation's $100 million commitment.

4. Public-private partnerships: Emphasizing cross-sector collaboration for environmental solutions.

5. Focus on nuclear energy and water security: Addressing growing energy demands and water scarcity challenges.

6. Community resilience: Building adaptable infrastructure to support communities facing climate risks.

The company emphasizes its commitment to both reducing environmental impact and fostering resilience through technology and innovation.

Cisco Networking Academy, established in 1997, continues its mission of providing IT, AI, cybersecurity, and networking education globally. According to their fiscal 2024 Student Outcome Survey, the program demonstrates significant impact with 98% of students viewing their acquired skills as career-important and 96% applying these skills daily. The academy's framework focuses on three pillars: engagement through local partnerships, empowerment through industry-aligned curriculum, and elevation of students to become change-makers. 80% of students reported improved financial standing, while 90% confirmed making positive community impacts. The program operates through partnerships with educators, non-profits, and governments, offering tailored approaches across various regions including Africa, India, Latin America, and the United States.

Cisco Systems has released its FY24 Purpose Report, highlighting the company's achievements and future goals. Key accomplishments include: being named #1 Best Company to Work For in 16 countries, achieving 86% employee participation in community impact initiatives, sourcing 96% of facility electricity from renewables, and reaching 4.7 million students through Cisco Networking Academy.

The company announced its new '40 Communities' initiative, planning to engage, support, and invest in 40 communities worldwide over the next decade. The report emphasizes Cisco's commitment to addressing global digital divides, noting that 2.6 billion people still lack Internet access. The Cisco Foundation has committed $35 million to fund climate solutions since FY21, while Cisco Talos observes 800 billion security events daily.

Cisco Systems has partnered with IỊisaġvik College in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, as part of its Social Justice Action 8 initiative. The project focused on enhancing the college's cybersecurity infrastructure and implementing solutions to maintain Title IV funding compliance. Cisco also introduced its Networking Academy to the curriculum, offering students opportunities for industry certifications.

The initiative, carried out in June 2024, supported Alaska's only Tribal College, helping preserve Iñupiaq culture while modernizing technology infrastructure. The project demonstrates Cisco's commitment to supporting minority-serving institutions and indigenous communities through technology advancement and educational opportunities.

Cisco Systems announces the publication of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for its hardware products, becoming one of the first companies to produce such assessments for networking equipment. The LCAs evaluate products' environmental impact across multiple categories, including greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and resource depletion throughout production, transport, use, and end-of-life stages.

The company is making detailed reports and two-page GHG emissions summaries publicly available on cisco.com. This initiative aims to provide transparency to stakeholders, support customers in calculating their IT infrastructure's environmental impact, and inform product design decisions. The assessments will help Cisco track progress toward its goal of reaching net zero GHG emissions by 2040.

Cisco Systems addresses the critical issue of electronic waste (e-waste) in its Sustainability 101 series. The UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024 reports a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste produced in 2022, with only 22.3% properly recycled, leaving $62 billion worth of recoverable resources unaccounted for.

Through their Plan for Possible strategy, Cisco is committed to circular economy principles, aiming to incorporate Circular Design Principles into 100% of new products and packaging by fiscal year 2025. The company offers a free Takeback and Reuse Program, recycling nearly 100% of returned products.

Cisco's initiatives include their annual Recycle IT Day, which has helped recycle 3,283 metric tonnes of used electronics since 1995. The company emphasizes collaboration across value chains, involving customers, partners, and suppliers in advancing sustainability efforts.

Cisco outlines its commitment to sustainability in Storage Area Networks (SANs) through various initiatives. The company aims for 100% of new products and packaging to incorporate Circular Design Principles by FY2025. The MDS 9000 series switches exemplify this commitment through energy-efficient design and features.

Key sustainability aspects include: power-efficient hardware with Titanium-certified power supplies, smart software capabilities for remote power management, and monitoring tools through Nexus Dashboard. Cisco's Product Takeback and Reuse Program allows customers to return used equipment at no cost, with nearly 100% being reused or recycled.

Best practices for sustainable SAN architecture include virtualization, advanced power management, and optimal topology design. The MDS 9718 can support up to 768 ports, enabling efficient single-switch configurations that reduce power consumption and inter-switch links.

Cisco Systems showcases its collaboration with WWF-Australia through its ANZ Green Team initiative. The partnership, which began in August 2022, focuses on environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. Key achievements include:

- Securing a Cisco Foundation Regional Solution Grant of AUD$150,000 for the Australian Native Vegetation Mapping System project

- Partnership at Cisco Live APJC 2023 resulting in 100 koala adoptions (AUD$18,000 donation value)

The collaboration demonstrates Cisco's commitment to sustainability through employee engagement, workplace giving, and strategic partnerships. The ANZ Green Team, led by Vivien Chia, focuses on building sustainable partnerships, volunteering, and environmental education across Australia and New Zealand.

Cisco Foundation has invested in Carbon Reform through its Regenerative Future Fund to address indoor air quality and energy efficiency challenges in buildings. Carbon Reform's innovative Carbon Capsule® technology retrofits existing HVAC systems to capture CO₂, filter pollutants, and improve energy efficiency. In pilot projects, the system demonstrated potential cooling load reductions of up to 50%.

The investment aligns with Cisco's environmental sustainability strategy, focusing on clean energy transition, circular transformation, and resilient ecosystems. A notable pilot installation at Baltimore Gas and Electric's Spring Gardens facility showcases the technology's real-world impact, supporting BGE's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.