With the Carbon to Collaboration Initiative, Cisco is committed to reducing carbon emissions by a minimum of 10 percent, starting with a dramatic reduction in the company’s air travel in 2008.

In addition, Cisco will invest US$20 million in collaborative technologies that will reduce the need for physical travel at Cisco, by combining its Unified Communications technologies, which include voice and data, with a rich-media and video experience to create virtual interactions across distances. People located across the country and around the globe, for example, will be able to work together as effectively as if they were sitting in the same room.

How Cisco TelePresence Supports the Connected Urban Development Program
Given that 50 percent of the world’s population lives in cities, it should be of no surprise that cities consume 75 percent of the world’s energy and are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in cities. Urban dwellings account for 40 percent of worldwide energy use and are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation is the second-largest contributor at 20 percent.

The Cisco TelePresence videoconferencing solution supports the CUD program, encouraging telecommuting to help decrease the number of vehicles on the road, especially during peak hours. TelePresence creates a high level of virtual interaction across distances, without compromising communications and collaboration among people.