A Business Leader relies on IT for 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

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.

Companies are moving to a circular economy because it helps mitigate risks and increase supply

chain resilience. In a circular economy, companies reduce dependence on raw materials by reusing,

recycling, and remanufacturing products, which helps them buffer against supply chain disruptions

caused by resource scarcity, price volatility, or geopolitical issues. By keeping materials in use longer

and reducing waste, companies also lessen their environmental impact and build more resilient,

sustainable business models.

This transition not only decreases environmental risks but also promotes innovation in product

design, enhances resource efficiency, and reduces overall production costs. As companies face

increasing pressure to align with sustainability regulations and customer demand for greener

products, adopting a circular economy becomes a crucial strategy for risk management and

operational continuity.

Environmental Sustainability

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020). Circular Economy in Business: Risk Mitigation and Resilience.

World Economic Forum. (2021). Building Resilient Supply Chains Through Circular Economy Practices.

McKinsey & Company. (2020). The Business Case for a Circular Economy: Risk Reduction and

Competitive Advantage.

The Sustainability Leader is central to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) function. This leader

is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that address environmental, social, and

governance (ESG) issues, ensuring that the company operates in a socially responsible and

sustainable manner. The Sustainability Leader drives initiatives related to reducing carbon footprints,

improving resource efficiency, and promoting ethical practices within the organization, while also

aligning CSR activities with business objectives.

Environmental Sustainability

Harvard Business Review. (2020). The Role of Sustainability Leaders in Corporate Social

Responsibility.

McKinsey & Company. (2021). Sustainability Leadership and the Integration of CSR Strategies.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2021). Sustainability Leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR).

Three factors contributing to organizations evaluating whether to return to the office, continue

remote work, or adopt a hybrid model are:

War for talent (B): Companies are competing to attract and retain skilled employees. Offering flexible

work arrangements, such as remote or hybrid work, can be a crucial factor in appealing to top talent

who prioritize work-life balance and flexibility.

Cost management (D): Remote and hybrid work models can reduce operational costs, such as office

space, utilities, and on-site amenities. Organizations are assessing the financial implications of

maintaining large office spaces versus allowing more remote work.

The blurring of the workday (E): As employees work remotely, the traditional boundaries between

work and personal time have become less distinct. Companies are considering how hybrid models

impact productivity, employee well-being, and work-life balance.

Environmental Sustainability

Gartner. (2021). Remote Work, the War for Talent, and Organizational Decision-Making.

Harvard Business Review. (2021). How Cost Management Influences Remote and Hybrid Work

Decisions.

McKinsey & Company. (2021). The Future of Hybrid Work: Flexibility, Talent, and Work-Life Balance.

The global economy has historically been based on the "Take-Make-Dispose" model, which is a linear

economy approach. In this model, raw materials are taken from the earth, used to make products,

and then disposed of as waste after use. This system leads to a high rate of resource depletion and

environmental degradation, contributing to significant waste and pollution problems. The shift

toward a circular economy is aimed at moving away from this unsustainable linear model by focusing

on reusing, recycling, and reducing waste to create a more sustainable system.

The circular economy encourages keeping materials in use for as long as possible, designing for

durability, and minimizing waste.

Environmental Sustainability

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2021). Circular Economy: Reimagining the "Take-Make-Dispose"

Model.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). Transitioning from Linear to Circular

Economies for Global Sustainability.

World Economic Forum. (2022). Rethinking Global Supply Chains: From "Take-Make-Dispose" to

Circularity.

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

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.

A corporation's sustainability goals and metrics should be recorded in Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) reports. These reports outline the company's sustainability efforts, including environmental

goals, social contributions, and ethical practices. CSR reports provide transparency regarding a

company’s sustainability initiatives and track progress toward targets such as reducing carbon

emissions, improving resource efficiency, and promoting responsible waste management.

Customers can use these reports to understand what a corporation aims to achieve in terms of

sustainability and how these goals align with broader environmental and social responsibilities.

Environmental Sustainability

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2021). Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting

Framework.

Harvard Business Review. (2020). The Importance of CSR Reports in Business Sustainability Efforts.

United Nations Global Compact. (2021). CSR Reporting and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Alignment.

Cisco plans to reduce its environmental footprint by implementing a strategy focused on 100%

product return, repair, remanufacture, refurbish, and recycle. This approach aligns with the principles

of the circular economy, which aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible,

thereby minimizing waste and resource consumption. By ensuring that products are returned for

repair or remanufacturing instead of being discarded, Cisco reduces the need for new raw materials

and cuts down on electronic waste, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain.

This commitment also reflects Cisco’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting

resource efficiency, and fostering sustainability across its product lifecycle.

Environmental Sustainability

Cisco. (2022). Circular Economy and Product Lifecycle Strategies for Sustainability.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2021). Cisco's Role in the Circular Economy and Reducing

Environmental Impact.

World Economic Forum. (2021). Sustainability Through Circular Practices in Technology Companies.

A principle of the circular economy is to encourage customers to consume less by promoting

resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption patterns. The circular economy

model seeks to minimize the use of raw materials and reduce waste by designing products to last

longer, promoting reuse, recycling, and sharing, and encouraging more responsible consumption

habits. It opposes the linear economy, where products are made, used, and discarded.

Key principles of the circular economy include:

Design out waste and pollution: Products are designed in a way that they can be reused, repaired, or

recycled, thus reducing waste generation.

Keep products and materials in use: This involves extending the life cycle of products by encouraging

repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling.

Regenerate natural systems: The circular economy aims to create positive environmental benefits,

such as restoring biodiversity and reducing pollution through better resource management.

By encouraging consumers to use fewer resources, adopt durable products, and consider repair and

recycling options, the circular economy promotes a sustainable future. This practice is essential to

reduce the environmental impact associated with resource extraction and waste generation.

Environmental Sustainability

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). What is the Circular Economy?

European Commission. (2020). A New Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and More

Competitive Europe.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). Circular Economy for Sustainable

Development.

RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) is an innovative device that

acts as a miniature internet with built-in servers and Wi-Fi routers. It is designed to bring educational

resources to remote areas without reliable internet access. The device stores a large amount of

offline content, such as educational materials, Wikipedia articles, Khan Academy videos, and open-

source textbooks, which can be accessed by users via Wi-Fi without needing an internet connection.

This is a powerful tool for promoting education in underserved regions, particularly in developing

countries or areas affected by limited infrastructure.

By enabling access to educational content without internet connectivity, RACHEL supports the

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education and

reducing inequalities.

Environmental Sustainability

World Possible. (2020). RACHEL – Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021). The Role of

Technology in Expanding Access to Education.