Sustainability Award
Cisco, driven by its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, recognised the need to develop a robust new data infrastructure to support its ambitious environmental sustainability goals. Recognising that data was the lifeblood of its sustainability goals, Cisco partnered with Deloitte to explore how it could transform the way it engages with suppliers while helping customers and communities reduce their environmental impacts.
Cisco, driven by its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, recognised the need to develop a robust new data infrastructure to support its ambitious environmental sustainability goals.
Recognising that data was the lifeblood of its sustainability goals, Cisco partnered with Deloitte to explore how it could transform the way it engages with suppliers while helping customers and communities reduce their environmental impacts.
Having taken the time to understand Cisco’s objectives Deloitte developed the vision for the Sustainability Data Foundation (SDF). The proposed solution, a centralised platform that would consolidate fragmented data from across the organisation, would provide Cisco the ability to calculate and provide detailed carbon footprint information for over 65,000 of its products.
Now in operation the SDF pulls data from supply chain, engineering, customer usage, and third-party sources. This data-driven approach empowers Cisco to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions that align with its sustainability goals.
Data is readily accessible through user-friendly dashboards, enabling transparency and empowering customers to make sustainable purchasing decisions. The SDF has automated the calculation of product carbon footprints across all lifecycle phases, improving efficiency and accuracy even further.
Rolling out a global initiative across a company as vast as Cisco was no small task. The team navigated this complexity with meticulous coordination, respecting individual needs and timelines, and providing tailored support to ensure everyone was in sync. This required significant socialisation, aligning on common enterprise goals, roadmaps, timelines, and navigating potentially conflicting concurrent commitments. The team’s success in overcoming these hurdles is a testament to their dedication and the strength of Cisco’s collaborative culture.
The impact of the system extends far beyond data management, and has fostered a cultural shift within Cisco, promoting data transparency, building sustainability literacy, and informing decision-making at all levels. It has enabled the business to reduce its environmental impact, enhance its brand reputation and improve stakeholder engagement.
The SDF was a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and a data-driven approach to sustainability. Deloitte embraced these principles throughout its partnership with Cisco, enabling the company to set a bold example for others to follow. Cisco continues to leverage the power of the SDF to address the ever-evolving landscape of environmental sustainability, proving that data can be a powerful force for positive change.
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