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

A benefit for partners to operate a more sustainable practice is that ithelps keep technology gear off the grey market. The grey market refers to the trade of goods through unofficial or unauthorized channels, which can undermine warranty, security, and compliance standards. By implementing sustainable practices such as proper recycling, refurbishing, or resale through authorized channels, partners ensure that technology equipment is disposed of or repurposed in an environmentally friendly manner. This not only reduces e-waste but also prevents outdated or unapproved technology from being sold on the grey market, which can harm both the environment and the company’s reputation.

Sustainable practices include lifecycle management of equipment, responsible recycling, and offering technology take-back programs, which ensure that equipment is either refurbished for reuse or properly recycled, thus avoiding the grey market.

Environmental Sustainability References:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021).Sustainable Materials Management: Electronics and the Circular Economy.

Cisco. (2022).Sustainability in Technology and Grey Market Prevention.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020).The Role of Circular Economy in Preventing Grey Market Activities.

A primary concern forsustainability leadersispositioning the organization as a sustainability leader. This involves integrating sustainable practices into the company’s strategy, operations, and culture while also communicating the organization's environmental impact and initiatives to stakeholders. Sustainability leaders aim to ensure that their organization not only complies with environmental regulations but also stands out in the marketplace as a pioneer in sustainability, which can enhance brand reputation, attract customers, and drive long-term success.

This role also involves balancing economic performance with social and environmental responsibility, navigating evolving sustainability standards, and addressing stakeholder expectations.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Harvard Business Review. (2020).How Sustainability Leadership Can Drive Competitive Advantage.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).The Role of Sustainability Leaders in Corporate Strategy.

World Economic Forum. (2022).Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Positioning in a Changing Market.

AnIT Leaderis the type of leader who collaborates across the organization on technology needs and advises business leaders on technical solutions. IT leaders play a critical role in managing the organization’s technology infrastructure, ensuring that it supports business goals while also driving digital transformation. They work closely with various departments to understand their technology requirements and recommend solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance security, and support sustainability initiatives, such as reducing the company’s carbon footprint by adopting energy-efficient technologies or implementing smart building systems.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Gartner. (2021).IT Leadership in the Age of Digital Transformation.

Cisco. (2022).The Role of IT in Sustainability and Digital Transformation.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).The Evolving Role of IT Leaders in Sustainable Business Strategies.

Cisco’sCustomer Recycling Solutionsprogram is designed to help customers return equipment that can no longer be powered on or is at the end of its life cycle. This program ensures that products are responsibly recycled or refurbished, supporting the circular economy and minimizing electronic waste. By offering this service, Cisco helps customers properly dispose of non-functioning equipment, keeping it out of landfills and contributing to environmental sustainability goals.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Customer Recycling Solutions: Supporting Responsible Equipment Disposal.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020).Circular Economy and E-Waste Management.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021).Sustainable E-Waste Solutions for IT Equipment.

Cisco plans to achievenet-zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2030, which covers its direct operations, including energy use in its buildings and facilities. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as fuel combustion, while Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. To meet this goal, Cisco is focusing on energy efficiency improvements, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and reducing its overall carbon footprint in its global operations.

This target is part of Cisco’s broader commitment to sustainability and aligning with international climate agreements.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Cisco’s Net Zero by 2030 Strategy for Scope 1 and 2 Emissions.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021).Corporate Net Zero Commitments and Timelines.

World Economic Forum. (2021).Corporate Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality: Cisco’s 2030 Net Zero Goal.

ABusiness Leaderrelies onITfor recommendations on technology investments. Business leaders, who focus on driving the overall strategy and performance of the company, often turn to IT leaders for expert guidance on technology solutions that can enhance operations, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals. IT leaders play a crucial role in identifying, evaluating, and recommending technologies that align with the business's needs and objectives, ensuring that the company stays competitive while meeting its technological and sustainability targets.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Gartner. (2021).The Role of IT in Business Strategy and Decision-Making.

Harvard Business Review. (2020).Business Leaders and the Importance of IT in Strategic Technology Investments.

Cisco. (2021).How IT Leaders Drive Business Sustainability and Innovation.

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.

Smart buildingsare leveraging advanced monitoring byusing the building’s network as a sensorto optimize equipment and quantify energy consumption. By collecting and analyzing data from various systems like HVAC, lighting, and security, smart buildings can automatically adjust settings to reduce resource use when not needed, such as dimming lights in unoccupied areas or optimizing heating andcooling based on occupancy patterns. This approach helps reduce energy consumption, improve operational efficiency, and lower costs while supporting sustainability goals.

Using the network as a sensor allows for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making, enabling building managers to make informed adjustments that reduce environmental impact.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Smart Buildings and Network-Based Monitoring for Energy Efficiency.

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2020).Smart Building Technology for Energy Optimization and Sustainability.

U.S. Green Building Council. (2021).Leveraging Smart Technologies to Improve Building Performance.

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.