700-245 Environmental Sustainability Practice-Building(ESPB) Questions and Answers

The European Green Deal is a comprehensive policy initiative launched by the European Commission in December 2019, with the objective of making the European Union (EU) the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. It serves as the roadmap for transforming the EU's economy and society to become more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decoupling economic growth from resource use, and ensuring a just transition for all citizens. The deal's ambitious goals are aligned with the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise.

Key components of the European Green Deal include:

Climate Action: The EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This is considered a significant step toward reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Clean Energy Transition: The Deal encourages the adoption of renewable energy, improvement in energy efficiency, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Circular Economy: The European Green Deal promotes the concept of a circular economy, where resources are reused, recycled, and waste is minimized.

Biodiversity Conservation: It also emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, aiming to restore degraded ecosystems, reduce pollution, and enhance the sustainable management of natural resources.

Sustainable Agriculture and Food: Through initiatives like the Farm to Fork Strategy, the EU is striving to ensure a more sustainable food system by reducing the environmental and climate impact of agriculture.

The European Green Deal is supported by legislative packages such as the "Fit for 55" proposals, which include laws and regulations that guide EU member states in achieving their climate goals. These laws touch upon sectors like energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture.

Environmental Sustainability References:

European Commission. (2019).The European Green Deal.Retrieved from:https://ec.europa.eu/green-deal

European Environment Agency. (2020).The European Green Deal: Success Factors and Challenges.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2020).The Role of the European Green Deal in Climate Action.

Hybrid workstrengthens sustainability practices bylowering emissions. By enabling employees to work from home part-time, hybrid work reduces the need for daily commuting, which cuts down on transportation-related carbon emissions. Additionally, with fewer employees in the office at any given time, businesses can reduce energy consumption in office buildings for lighting, heating, cooling, and equipment usage. As companies shift to this model, it promotes a smaller environmental footprint by optimizing both office space and energy use.

Hybrid work also supports sustainable business strategies by encouraging the use of digital tools and cloud-based technologies, further minimizing the environmental impact of physical operations.

Environmental Sustainability References:

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2020).Impact of Remote and Hybrid Work on Reducing Emissions.

World Economic Forum. (2021).How Hybrid Work Models Contribute to Corporate Sustainability.

Cisco. (2021).The Role of Hybrid Work in Reducing Carbon Emissions.

TheInternet of Things (IoT)technology helps track resources and assets, monitor utilization, and generate data insights to minimize waste. IoT devices are equipped with sensors that collect real-time data on the usage and performance of equipment, resources, and other assets. This data can be used to optimize operations, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste by enabling better decision-making. For example, IoT can track energy usage in buildings, monitor supply chain efficiency, and predict maintenance needs, which ultimately contributes to more sustainable and efficient practices.

IoT is a key component of smart buildings, sustainable manufacturing, and energy management systems.

Environmental Sustainability References:

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021).IoT Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction.

Cisco. (2022).The Role of IoT in Sustainable Resource Management.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).How IoT is Driving Sustainability and Efficiency in Business Operations.

Two key resources that provide information about an organization’s sustainability position and plans are:

Online blog posts (A):Companies frequently use blogs to share their sustainability initiatives, progress, and future goals. These posts often highlight achievements, such as reducing carbon emissions or improving energy efficiency, and communicate their commitment to stakeholders.

Company websites (E):The corporate website is one of the most comprehensive sources of information about a company's sustainability strategy. Organizations often dedicate sections oftheir websites to sustainability, where they detail their environmental policies, sustainability reports, and plans for reducing their environmental impact.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2020).Corporate Sustainability Communication through Websites and Blogs.

Harvard Business Review. (2021).How Companies Use Digital Platforms to Showcase Sustainability Efforts.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).Communicating Corporate Sustainability: The Role of Digital Channels.

Theincreased mobility of employees in a hybrid work modelis a driving factor for the new security paradigm focused onzero trust. As more employees work remotely or in a hybrid setup, accessing company networks and resources from various locations and devices, traditional perimeter-based security models become insufficient.Zero trustis a security framework that requires continuous verification of users, devices, and applications, regardless of their location, to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Increased mobility, along with cloud adoption, has amplified the need for robust security measures that ensure trust is never assumed and that all interactions are authenticated and verified.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Zero Trust and the Hybrid Workforce: Securing the Future of Work.

Forrester Research. (2020).Zero Trust: A New Approach to Cybersecurity in the Hybrid Work Era.

Gartner. (2021).Zero Trust and Its Role in Enterprise Mobility and Security.

According to industry research,55% of partnersare expected to increase their revenue from offering sustainability solutions. Sustainability is becoming a key driver of business growth as companies seek to reduce their environmental impact, comply with regulations, and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products and services. Partners offering solutions that help organizations become more energy-efficient, reduce carbon emissions, or transition to a circular economy are positioned to capitalize on this shift.

This trend highlights the increasing importance of sustainability in business strategy, as both customers and governments push for more sustainable practices across industries.

Environmental Sustainability References:

IDC. (2021).Sustainability Trends Driving Growth in IT Solutions.

Cisco. (2021).The Financial Benefits of Embracing Sustainability in Business.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).Sustainability: A Key Business Driver for Growth.

Cisco'sCustomer Recycling Solutionsprogram is available to return products to Cisco that can be powered on. This program allows customers to return end-of-life Cisco equipment for proper recycling, refurbishment, or reuse, ensuring that products are handled in an environmentally responsible manner. The initiative supports Cisco’s sustainability goals by reducing electronic waste and promoting the circular economy, where products are recovered and given a second life instead of being discarded. This program aligns with Cisco’s broader commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to sustainable product lifecycle management.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Customer Recycling Solutions: Supporting a Circular Economy.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021).E-Waste Management and Corporate Recycling Programs.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020).Product Return and Recycling Programs in Circular Economy Practices.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems are responsible for approximately57%of a commercial building's total energy costs. These two systems are the primary energy consumers in commercial buildings due to their continuous operation in maintaining comfort and lighting in large spaces. HVAC systems, in particular, consume substantial energy for heating, cooling, and air distribution, while lighting systems are significant because of the large number of fixtures and extensive operating hours.

Energy efficiency measures, such as switching to LED lighting, implementing occupancy-based controls, and upgrading HVAC systems to more energy-efficient models, are common strategies to reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs in commercial buildings.

Environmental Sustainability References:

U.S. Department of Energy. (2021).Energy Efficiency Trends in Commercial Buildings.

Energy Star. (2020).Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey.

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). (2020).Reducing Energy Use in Commercial Buildings.

Partners and customers can reduce their environmental footprint by adopting the following two methods:

Set sustainability goals and post them on the organization's website (C): Establishing clear sustainability goals allows organizations to align their operations with environmental objectives, such as reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency, or minimizing waste. Publicly posting these goals on the website increases transparency and accountability, encouraging stakeholders to track progress. Setting measurable targets ensures that companies are actively working towards reducing their ecological footprint and contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Move to a hybrid work environment using Cisco Webex (E): Transitioning to a hybrid work environment, which combines remote and in-office work, can significantly reduce an organization’s carbon footprint by minimizing employee commuting and office energy consumption. Tools like Cisco Webex facilitate virtual collaboration, enabling organizations to maintain productivity while reducing the need for travel, thereby cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a more sustainable work model.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Cisco Webex and Hybrid Work: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint with Collaboration Technology.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2020).Setting Corporate Sustainability Goals.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU). (2021).The Role of Hybrid Work in Sustainable Development.