Embedding Sustainability into Infrastructure

Sustainability managers across industries face increasing pressure to incorporate environmental management practices into their operations. Denise Lee, an expert in sustainability innovation at Cisco, provides valuable insights into how organizations can leverage intelligent sustainability software and interconnected systems to achieve their goals. One of the primary focus areas for Denise is addressing the energy consumption of buildings, which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), accounts for about 30% of global energy use and nearly 40% of CO2 emissions.

Denise notes that in order to address this challenge, organizations must look at their real estate footprint and how connectivity plays a vital role in driving down energy use. She emphasizes that sustainability must be embedded into the entire infrastructure, stating, "Every organization and company around the world is now evaluating their real estate footprint. In doing so, connectivity plays a major role. Think about the backbone of our Catalyst 9k series. It’s not just about controlling the IT infrastructure in a building anymore, but also the operational technology (OT) devices. Everything from smart lighting, automated blinds, to desks can now be connected. Buildings themselves create a significant percentage of global energy consumption, so controlling that impact is crucial."

This emphasis on operational efficiency and interconnected systems is becoming increasingly important as organizations adopt carbon footprint tracking and decarbonization software. Cisco’s solution, highlighted by Denise, reflects the broader industry trend toward creating sustainable business solutions that integrate smart technologies. By embedding smart systems in infrastructure, organizations can drastically cut down their energy consumption. Research shows that incorporating energy management systems can reduce a building’s energy use by up to 20%, aligning with global decarbonization goals.

Automation and Energy Efficiency as Drivers of Sustainability

The concept of energy efficiency and automated sustainability reporting has become a key focus for businesses, especially as they grapple with regulatory pressures and the need to reduce operational costs. Denise explains that automation is vital to achieving these objectives, particularly in the realm of energy management, which is a cornerstone of corporate sustainability software. She points out that organizations can no longer rely on manual intervention to meet sustainability goals, stating, “Why would we power and cool an entire floor if no one is there? That's where smart sensors and automation come in. These systems are built into much of the technology available today, and they can significantly reduce energy waste by automatically controlling lighting, heating, cooling, and more.”

In the last few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the adoption of automated solutions for energy management, driven by the need to meet regulatory requirements such as the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). According to a 2023 report from Deloitte, organizations that implemented automated energy management solutions saved up to 30% on their annual energy costs. This is where intelligent sustainability software becomes crucial, enabling organizations to monitor, measure, and optimize their energy usage in real-time. As sustainability managers look for ways to integrate automation into their processes, solutions like decarbonization and carbon footprint software help ensure that energy efficiency is not only achieved but sustained over time.

Circular Economy and the Role of Smart Technologies

In addition to energy efficiency, Denise stresses the importance of integrating circular design into hardware and infrastructure, a growing trend among companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact. One key insight from Denise focuses on the lifecycle of products and the importance of creating a circular economy within an organization. She notes, "Circularity and circular design have become critical aspects of Cisco's sustainability approach. We’ve developed a world-class supply chain over decades, and that allows us to ensure that 99.98% of Cisco’s portfolio can be responsibly recycled or renewed."

This focus on product lifecycle management is particularly important for industries looking to reduce Scope 3 emissions, which often stem from supply chain and product disposal. According to a 2021 study by the World Economic Forum, companies with robust circularity practices in place saw up to a 50% reduction in waste. 

Denise also mentions the growing trend of incentivizing customers to participate in circular economy practices, such as Cisco’s take-back program. This aligns with broader trends in corporate sustainability, where customers increasingly expect businesses to offer solutions that contribute to decarbonization efforts. As sustainability managers work toward reducing their carbon footprints, Denise’s insights serve as a reminder that every step in the product lifecycle matters.

Conclusion

Denise Lee's insights on sustainability provide a grounded perspective for organizations looking to make meaningful changes. By focusing on smart technologies and embracing circular economy principles, companies can gradually improve their environmental impact. As Denise reminds us, integrating sustainability into infrastructure is a journey, and every small step counts toward a greener future. 

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any company.