Behind Cisco's Energy Efficiency & Circularity Strategies

Global technology company Cisco operates across more than 90 countries with over 90,000 employees.

Its business integrates networking, security, observability and collaboration technologies to strengthen digital infrastructure in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Energy management sits at the core of these efforts. Cisco embeds sustainability through its operations, supply chain and technology design, with a strong focus on optimising energy use and cutting carbon emissions.

How Cisco is moving towards net zero

Cisco’s long-term energy strategy aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, supported by a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from its FY19 baseline.

The company has already achieved major milestones. By the end of FY25, Cisco met its target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% and achieved a 35% reduction in Scope 3 emissions.

These outcomes stem from a holistic approach that includes infrastructure efficiency and energy transformation projects across its global facilities.

In FY25 alone, 78 energy efficiency projects were completed, collectively avoiding around 27,200 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.

Using AI and advanced analytics, Cisco monitored and optimised lab operations, improving airflow and cooling performance to lower energy demand.

It also worked to decarbonise transport by increasing electric vehicle adoption across its European company fleet from 11% in FY2019 to 66% in FY25.

Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cisco, said on LinkedIn: “In FY25, we delivered meaningful progress across our operations, products and value chain, reaching several important multi-year milestones that support energy efficiency, resilience and long-term value creation.

Circular design for energy efficiency

Circularity remains key to Cisco’s energy and materials strategy. Since 2019, the company has applied its Circular Design Principles across product and packaging design, ensuring all new designs by FY25 meet efficiency and reuse criteria.

The principles emphasise recycled content, lightweight packaging to reduce transport energy use, and products designed for easier repair and recovery. By FY25, Cisco exceeded its target of cutting foam in packaging by 75%, achieving a 78% reduction from FY19 levels.

Powering responsible AI

As Cisco advances its energy goals, it also prioritises responsible AI integration to build digital resilience. The company is strengthening its secure AI research while promoting transparency and accountability throughout AI development.

It collaborates with governments, private organisations and international bodies to shape smart energy and technology policy, ensuring digital innovation supports sustainability outcomes rather than undermining them.

Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, says: “In this AI era, Cisco’s technology is more relevant than ever and the trust our customers and partners place in us has never mattered more.

“The innovation we are delivering today will undoubtedly shape the world we live in tomorrow and we know that aligning our technology with our Purpose – to Power an Inclusive Future for All – only amplifies our impact.

“We see this every day through all the meaningful ways our solutions make a difference.”