Sustainability has become a key priority for businesses, and for good reason. With global temperatures rising and plastic pollution reaching alarming levels, the urgency of this issue is impossible to ignore.
“I have the opportunity to engage with numerous large companies each week, and sustainability is a recurring topic in all of our discussions,” says Snorre Kjesbu, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Employee Experiences at Cisco.
Kjesbu is also in a position to support these companies in their sustainability efforts. Leading a portfolio of collaboration technologies that enable remote work and virtual meetings, he plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with corporate travel.
As of 2023, business travel accounted for 12% of global travel, but this figure is steadily declining due to the growing use of videoconferencing. Additionally, the same technology is helping reduce emissions from commuting by allowing more employees to work remotely.
Reducing a company’s carbon footprint is not just a moral imperative but also an economic advantage. Research from the Energy Efficiency Movement, an industry initiative, suggests that the industrial sector could save $437 billion by 2030 by implementing efficiency measures such as digitizing equipment and leveraging cloud-based data processing.
“There’s a misconception that sustainability efforts always come at a higher cost, but that’s not true when it comes to efficiency,” explains Lisa Bounoure, Communications and Marketing Lead at the Energy Efficiency Movement. “Improving efficiency delivers a clear return on investment.”
Kjesbu’s focus on efficiency extends beyond lowering emissions from corporate meetings. Cisco, which has set a goal to achieve net zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2040, is also working to enhance the sustainability of its products.
For instance, 52% of the plastic used in Cisco’s Collaboration devices comes from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. This initiative replaces 154 tonnes of virgin plastic annually—equivalent to removing 7 million rubber ducks from the waste stream each year.
Additionally, Cisco’s ENERGY STAR®-certified phones are designed with minimal metal content, making even the high-end models weigh just about a kilogram. Lighter products mean lower energy consumption during transportation, reducing both supply chain costs and emissions.
Beyond materials, energy efficiency is also a major focus. Office devices are being engineered to consume less power throughout their lifespan. The Cisco Board Pro, for example, has been designed to use 85-89% less power in standby mode compared to its Display Off state.
While cutting standby power may seem insignificant, the impact is substantial. Devices left in sleep mode worldwide contribute to about 1% of global carbon emissions—comparable to a third of the emissions generated by aviation in 2023. Reducing this energy waste has a ripple effect, notes Kjesbu.
“Lower power usage in sleep mode means less heat is generated, which in turn reduces the need for air conditioning in buildings,” he explains.
The broader goal for sustainable office spaces is to maximize these multiplier effects through digital technology. Smart building systems can detect whether an area is in use and automatically adjust lighting and climate controls, significantly cutting down energy waste.
According to the Energy Efficiency Movement, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) account for over 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings, with approximately 35% of it being wasted. Implementing AI-driven building management systems could reduce HVAC emissions by up to 40% while also lowering operational costs by 25%.
In addition to energy efficiency, increasing product longevity is another key sustainability strategy. “Designing products to last longer means businesses buy fewer replacements, ultimately reducing their environmental footprint,” Kjesbu points out.
“The difference between a product lasting four years versus seven years is significant,” he adds.
By embedding sustainability into its business strategy, Cisco is aligning with an emerging workplace trend.
“Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in office design,” says John Stephan, Deal Advisory Partner for Building Products and Services at BDO.
“From construction materials to office technology, there is growing demand for solutions that minimize waste and emissions,” he notes.
For the planet, this shift toward sustainable choices is a welcome development—one that forward-thinking companies like Cisco are eager to embrace.
“I have the opportunity to engage with numerous large companies each week, and sustainability is a recurring topic in all of our discussions,” says Snorre Kjesbu, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Employee Experiences at Cisco.
Kjesbu is also in a position to support these companies in their sustainability efforts. Leading a portfolio of collaboration technologies that enable remote work and virtual meetings, he plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with corporate travel.
As of 2023, business travel accounted for 12% of global travel, but this figure is steadily declining due to the growing use of videoconferencing. Additionally, the same technology is helping reduce emissions from commuting by allowing more employees to work remotely.
Reducing a company’s carbon footprint is not just a moral imperative but also an economic advantage. Research from the Energy Efficiency Movement, an industry initiative, suggests that the industrial sector could save $437 billion by 2030 by implementing efficiency measures such as digitizing equipment and leveraging cloud-based data processing.
“There’s a misconception that sustainability efforts always come at a higher cost, but that’s not true when it comes to efficiency,” explains Lisa Bounoure, Communications and Marketing Lead at the Energy Efficiency Movement. “Improving efficiency delivers a clear return on investment.”
Kjesbu’s focus on efficiency extends beyond lowering emissions from corporate meetings. Cisco, which has set a goal to achieve net zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2040, is also working to enhance the sustainability of its products.
For instance, 52% of the plastic used in Cisco’s Collaboration devices comes from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. This initiative replaces 154 tonnes of virgin plastic annually—equivalent to removing 7 million rubber ducks from the waste stream each year.
Additionally, Cisco’s ENERGY STAR®-certified phones are designed with minimal metal content, making even the high-end models weigh just about a kilogram. Lighter products mean lower energy consumption during transportation, reducing both supply chain costs and emissions.
Beyond materials, energy efficiency is also a major focus. Office devices are being engineered to consume less power throughout their lifespan. The Cisco Board Pro, for example, has been designed to use 85-89% less power in standby mode compared to its Display Off state.
While cutting standby power may seem insignificant, the impact is substantial. Devices left in sleep mode worldwide contribute to about 1% of global carbon emissions—comparable to a third of the emissions generated by aviation in 2023. Reducing this energy waste has a ripple effect, notes Kjesbu.
“Lower power usage in sleep mode means less heat is generated, which in turn reduces the need for air conditioning in buildings,” he explains.
The broader goal for sustainable office spaces is to maximize these multiplier effects through digital technology. Smart building systems can detect whether an area is in use and automatically adjust lighting and climate controls, significantly cutting down energy waste.
According to the Energy Efficiency Movement, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) account for over 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings, with approximately 35% of it being wasted. Implementing AI-driven building management systems could reduce HVAC emissions by up to 40% while also lowering operational costs by 25%.
In addition to energy efficiency, increasing product longevity is another key sustainability strategy. “Designing products to last longer means businesses buy fewer replacements, ultimately reducing their environmental footprint,” Kjesbu points out.
“The difference between a product lasting four years versus seven years is significant,” he adds.
By embedding sustainability into its business strategy, Cisco is aligning with an emerging workplace trend.
“Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in office design,” says John Stephan, Deal Advisory Partner for Building Products and Services at BDO.
“From construction materials to office technology, there is growing demand for solutions that minimize waste and emissions,” he notes.
For the planet, this shift toward sustainable choices is a welcome development—one that forward-thinking companies like Cisco are eager to embrace.