700-240 Practice Questions

Cisco has driven down Scope 3 emissions over the last 15 years primarily through its use of the

circular economy. By focusing on the principles of reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, Cisco has

significantly reduced the environmental impact of its products and operations. This approach has led

to lower emissions throughout the product lifecycle, including manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life

stages. Cisco's circular economy strategy is a key component of its sustainability initiatives, as

highlighted in their environmental reports and sustainability strategies​

https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/net-zero-methodology-yes-it-is-complicated-but-worth-doingthoroughly

Cisco has set a goal for 70% of its component and manufacturing suppliers to achieve a zero-waste

diversion rate at one or more sites by 2025. This initiative is part of Cisco’s broader effort to promote

sustainability and reduce waste across its supply chain. Achieving a zero-waste diversion rate means

that virtually all waste materials are reused, recycled, or composted, and nothing is sent to landfills

or incineration without energy recovery. This target is part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to

environmental sustainability, as detailed in their corporate social responsibility reports and

environmental sustainability strategies​https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/environmental-impact-in-ciscossupply-chain

The three pillars of sustainability are Environmental Protection, Social Sustainability, and Economic

Development. These pillars ensure a holistic approach to sustainability, balancing the need for

economic growth with environmental stewardship and social equity. Cisco integrates these principles

into its sustainability strategy, aiming to create a positive impact on society, the economy, and the

environment through its operations and initiatives​(Good Equals Progress)​​(UN Global Compact)​.

https://goodequalsprogress.com/as-ciscos-global-corporate-social-responsibility-efforts-continuallygrow-and-morph-its-improving-the-ways-it-reports-those-efforts-to-the-world/

A pillar of sustainability is economic development. Sustainability encompasses three main pillars:

economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Economic development

aims to create economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable, ensuring that all individuals benefit

and that resources are used efficiently to provide long-term benefits. Cisco's sustainability initiatives

include fostering economic development through various programs and partnerships​(Good Equals

Progress)​​(UN Global Compact)​. https://goodequalsprogress.com/as-ciscos-global-corporate-socialresponsibility-efforts-continually-grow-and-morph-its-improving-the-ways-it-reports-those-efforts-

to-the-world/

Cisco’s enterprise-wide program that includes Circular Design, Circular Solutions, and Ecosystem

Leadership is known as the Circular Economy program. This initiative aims to promote sustainable

practices by designing products for longevity, reducing waste through reuse and recycling, and

collaborating with partners to create a sustainable ecosystem. The program is a core part of Cisco's

environmental sustainability strategy, as outlined in their Environmental Sustainability Specialization

(ESS) Program and related documents​(Cisco Blogs)​. https://blogs.cisco.com/tag/environmentalsustainability-specialization

Today, approximately 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled. This low recycling rate highlights the

significant challenges in managing plastic waste and emphasizes the need for better recycling

infrastructure and practices globally. Cisco addresses plastic waste through its sustainability

programs, aiming to reduce plastic use and promote recycling as part of its environmental initiatives​

(EcoWatch)​​(OECD)​​(RubyHome)​. https://www.ecowatch.com/recycling-stats.html

Approximately 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide each year. This substantial amount of

food waste contributes to environmental degradation and highlights the need for more effective

waste management and sustainability practices. Reducing food waste is critical for improving food

security and minimizing the environmental impact of food production and disposal​

https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2022/02/plastic-pollution-is-growingrelentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.html

Cisco uses criteria such as facility size and lab area when determining sites for ISO 14001

certification. This approach ensures that their Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are

implemented in locations with significant potential environmental impacts, allowing for effective

management and continual improvement of their environmental performance. Cisco’s commitment

to ISO 14001 certification is part of their broader environmental strategy to comply with

international standards and improve sustainability practices across their operations

https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2016/10/31/iso-140012015-how-to-set-criteria-forenvironmental-aspects-evaluation/

The Cisco Foundation has committed $100 million over a ten-year period to address the growing

climate crisis. This investment supports initiatives and projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions,

promoting renewable energy, and advancing sustainability efforts. Cisco's Environmental

Sustainability documents highlight this financial commitment as part of the company's broader

strategy to combat climate change and promote a sustainable future.

66% of customers are willing to pay more for products that are manufactured sustainably. This

reflects a growing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally responsible products.

Companies like Cisco leverage this trend by emphasizing their sustainability practices and

incorporating them into their product development and marketing strategies. This data is supported

by various consumer surveys and market research studies on sustainability p

​(Cisco Blogs)​​

(Impakter)​. https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/net-zero-methodology-yes-it-is-complicated-but-worthdoing-thoroughly