Pass the Cisco Specialist 700-245 Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

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 References:

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.

A corporation's sustainability goals and metrics should be recorded inCorporate 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 References:

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 has pledged to achievenet-zero emissions by 2040across its entire value chain, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This comprehensive target includes reducing direct emissions (Scope 1), emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), and indirect emissions across the supply chain and product lifecycle (Scope 3). Cisco’s strategy includes increasing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and developing circular economy practices to ensure this goal is met. The company is also committed to meeting interim goals by 2030, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90%.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Cisco. (2021).Cisco's 2040 Net-Zero Emissions Pledge.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021).Corporate Commitments to Achieve Net-Zero by 2040.

World Economic Forum. (2021).Pathways to Net-Zero: Cisco’s Leadership in Climate Action.

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.

Sustainable business practicesare those that focus on long-term success by balancing environmental, social, and economic factors. Two key descriptions are:

Are socially responsible (D):Sustainable practices involve conducting business in a way that benefits society, including fair labor practices, reducing environmental harm, and contributing to the well-being of communities. This ensures a positive impact on both people and the planet.

Should be economically viable (E):Sustainability must also be economically feasible. This means that businesses need to adopt practices that ensure profitability while minimizing resource consumption and waste. Economic viability ensures that sustainability can be maintained in the long term, benefiting both the business and its stakeholders.

Environmental Sustainability References:

United Nations Global Compact. (2020).Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business Practices.

World Economic Forum. (2021).The Triple Bottom Line: Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).Sustainability: A Business Imperative for Long-Term Growth.

Two key resources that provide information about an organization’s sustainability position and plans are:

Online blog posts (A):Companies frequently use blogs to share their sustainability initiatives, progress, and future goals. These posts often highlight achievements, such as reducing carbon emissions or improving energy efficiency, and communicate their commitment to stakeholders.

Company websites (E):The corporate website is one of the most comprehensive sources of information about a company's sustainability strategy. Organizations often dedicate sections oftheir websites to sustainability, where they detail their environmental policies, sustainability reports, and plans for reducing their environmental impact.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2020).Corporate Sustainability Communication through Websites and Blogs.

Harvard Business Review. (2021).How Companies Use Digital Platforms to Showcase Sustainability Efforts.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).Communicating Corporate Sustainability: The Role of Digital Channels.

RACHEL(Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) is an innovative device that acts as aminiature 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 References:

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.

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.

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 References:

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.

A partner can establish a sustainability practice bysetting sustainability goals and publicizing them on their webpage. This not only demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility but also increases transparency and accountability. Setting clear, measurable goals, such as reducing energyconsumption or increasing the use of renewable resources, helps guide the partner’s internal operations and builds trust with clients and stakeholders. Publicizing these goals on the website allows customers, investors, and partners to see the company’s sustainability efforts, which can lead to new business opportunities and compliance with industry standards.

Environmental Sustainability References:

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). (2021).Sustainability Goal Setting and Corporate Transparency.

United Nations Global Compact. (2020).Communicating Corporate Sustainability Commitments.

McKinsey & Company. (2021).Sustainability Practices and Public Accountability in Business.