Networking hardware, software and solutions provider Cisco announced today a significant acceleration in its strategies to reduce carbon emissions across its value chain, pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

The company’s net zero commitment encompasses all emission scopes, including product use, operations, and supply chain.

In its own operations, Cisco has pledged to reach net zero across its global Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and the company has also committed to finalize near-term targets for key Scope 3 categories, such as use of sold products and supply chain emissions, by the end of this year.

Cisco outlined several of the strategies it will pursue in order to achieve its climate goals, including increasing the energy efficiency of its products through innovative design, accelerating use of renewable energy, embracing hybrid work, investing in carbon removal solutions, and embedding sustainability and circular economy principles across its business. According to Cisco, the company has already achieved 100% renewable energy in several countries, as is on track to meet several of its existing environmental sustainability goals, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% by 2022 on a 2007 basis, and using electricity generated from renewable sources for at least 85% of its global electricity needs by 2022.

Fran Katsoudas, Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco, said:

“The devastating effects of the climate disasters over the past few weeks could not be a clearer sign of the urgent need to address climate change now. As a global technology leader, we must set the standard for sustainable business practices and support our customers, partners, and suppliers in their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment as well.”