Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility Report Focuses on Sustainability for 2012

In a recent media release, Cisco (News - Alert) announced that it has released its seventh annual corporate social responsibility report, which underscores the company’s continued commitment to acting responsibly, operating sustainably, and contributing to the communities in which its employees work and live.

The 2011 Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR (News - Alert)) Report discussed in detail how the company applies its expertise, technology and partnership strategies to address environmental, social and governance issues.

The report offers an outline of its 2012 objectives. In the New Year, the company plans to focus on five areas: governance and ethics; value chain; Cisco employees; society; and the environment. In financial year 2012, Cisco intends to launch an appreciation award to recognize suppliers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to sustainability.

The report illustrates how Cisco uses the power of the network to multiply its impact across each of these five areas, from connecting the world and improving education and healthcare, to enabling energy efficiency and helping people collaborate and work smarter. The CSR report also provides updates on key issues including supply chain management, economic development, data security and privacy, and employee engagement.

Cisco prepared the report in collaboration with 25 external global CSR stakeholders who provided their feedback via Cisco TelePresence. With the help of this input, Cisco has prepared this year's report. The company has been more transparent on supply chain and governance issues. The account of the stake holders also helps the interested parties to understand how Cisco's products and solutions are helping its customers meet their energy and environmental goals.

The Report includes an expanded discussion of human rights and the Internet, including specific steps the company has taken to address these concerns. The report reiterates Cisco's commitment to selling products that are built to global standards and its opposition to government efforts to fragment the Internet or undermine freedom of expression.

2011 CSR report, which includes an executive summary as well as a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) index, is available in an easy-to-read and searchable PDF format, with accompanying multimedia content.

“Technology can play a critical role in ensuring that businesses are both sustainable and responsible. Through its networking technology, Cisco has the ability to address issues of corporate responsibility -- from the supply chain to environmental challenges -- on a global scale. In the coming months and years, how companies like Cisco commit to and take on these societal challenges could make a critical difference to the lives of many people. The latest report from Cisco provides a window into Cisco's achievements and challenges in making this vision a reality,”president and CEO of Business for Social Responsibility Aron Cramer noted in a statement.

 Cisco also held its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in a webcast on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. Participants included Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers (News - Alert), and chief financial officer Frank Calderoni.