Past static estimates: How Cisco’s product carbon footprint characteristic tracks a decarbonizing grid

Companies are setting bold net-zero targets whereas going through rising calls for for clear, verifiable knowledge on their Scope 3 greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions. For a lot of, that is the place the carbon footprint of bought merchandise, like Cisco {hardware}, can change into a important piece of the sustainability puzzle.

The problem is getting knowledge that’s usable in actual workflows: by product, by 12 months, and on the scale required for procurement, reporting, and goal monitoring. To handle this problem, we advanced our product carbon footprint (PCF) knowledge to not solely estimate the GHG emissions of a product over its life cycle, however to include the influence of rising electrical energy grid decarbonization over time.

Why static PCFs are evolving

Michael King, senior chief of carbon accounting and analytics at Cisco, acknowledged {that a} static carbon footprint quantity typically misses the numerous decarbonization efforts taking place throughout the availability chain or the continued shift to cleaner vitality grids.

“Corporations ask for product carbon knowledge they will use in their very own accounting that’s aligned to their base 12 months, reporting 12 months, and net-zero timeline,” says King. So, he developed a sturdy methodology that goes past conventional static calculations to dynamically alter PCFs, reflecting real-world decarbonization.

For instance, a product bought right now can have a decrease carbon footprint than the identical product bought 5 years in the past, even when the bodily product is equivalent, as a result of cleaner electrical energy powering its manufacturing.

Right here’s how Cisco is approaching dynamic PCFs:

• Establish hotspots: We begin by pinpointing the elements inside Cisco merchandise that contribute most importantly to GHG emissions. These “hotspots” can embrace printed circuit boards, built-in circuits, and the vitality utilized in testing and meeting.
• Isolate electrical energy emissions: For these hotspots, we decide the portion of emissions straight attributable to electrical energy consumption throughout manufacturing (representing Scope 2 emissions of our suppliers).
• Alter dynamically: We then leverage respected world vitality grid knowledge and projections from organizations just like the Worldwide Power Company (IEA). This permits us to:
  • Backcast: Recalculate historic PCFs, displaying how a product’s footprint would have appeared in previous years as grids have been extra carbon intensive.
  • Forecast: Mission future PCFs, illustrating the anticipated reductions as vitality grids proceed to decarbonize primarily based on forecasted eventualities.

From disclosure to decision-making

Dynamic PCF knowledge affords a robust benefit. It permits firms to:

• Monitor progress: Measure the discount of their Scope 3 emissions over time, straight linked to their procurement of Cisco merchandise.
• Set real looking targets: Use projections to tell net-zero pathways and reveal tangible progress to stakeholders and regulators.
• Make knowledgeable selections: Perceive the advantages of upgrading to newer Cisco {hardware}, which regularly incorporates additional design and manufacturing efficiencies.

Fraunhofer, a number one German analysis institute, has critically reviewed our static PCF methodology to facilitate alignment with worldwide requirements, like ISO 14067. We plan to have them overview our dynamic PCF calculation as properly, offering third-party validation that ensures the accuracy and reliability of our knowledge.

Constructed to scale

We’re operationalizing this knowledge so companions and clients can entry it within the instruments and workflows they’re already utilizing.

• For companions: PCF knowledge is offered by means of Cisco’s value listing API for eligible merchandise. Attain out to your Associate Account Supervisor to study extra.
• For patrons: Cisco’s Product Sustainability API supplies direct entry to PCF knowledge, serving to streamline reporting and meet particular decarbonization targets.
• For business collaboration: Cisco is exploring partnerships with third-party knowledge aggregators to enhance consistency of Cisco verified PCF knowledge throughout the ecosystem.