The enterprise division of the Orange Group, Orange Business, a leading network and digital integrator, and technology giant Cisco have announced at MWC 2024 the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a joint action plan to help reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The two companies have agreed to create an emissions baseline regarding the GHG emissions of Orange Business solutions that integrate Cisco products, allowing both organisations to measure GHG emissions across their shared portfolio.
Orange has set a goal to reduce its GHG emissions by 45% across all scopes by 2030, committing to reaching net zero by 2040. Cisco has set a goal to reach net-zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2040 and has also set a goal to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution, and use of sold Cisco products by 30% by 2030.
This MoU arose in recognition of the interdependencies in achieving both companies' GHG emission reduction goals, and the understanding that a new kind of collaborative partnership is required to help accelerate progress. Both organisations hope that this MoU will represent the first of many collaborations towards joint net zero models.
The MoU includes a number of key focus areas that Cisco and Orange Business will work together on. They include building a GHG emissions trajectory for the Cisco products used by Orange Business and agree to focus on increasing the uptake of circular economy principles and practices by Orange Business and its customers.
In addition Cisco aims to provide Orange Business with data on the estimated carbon footprint of Cisco products sold by Orange Business. Orange Business and Cisco will also endeavour to explore different ways to integrate eco-design principles into the design of products and services.
Cisco and Orange Business have previously worked together on several joint sustainability initiatives.
