Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Cisco's fiscal 2025 SEC filings do not disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, or Scope 3 emissions data, a specific net-zero target year, or renewable electricity percentage, resulting in deductions for undisclosed Scope 3 emissions and an undisclosed net-zero timeline. No resource-related controversies (toxic waste, excessive water use) or physical decarbonization infrastructure investments were identified in the reviewed 10-K and proxy materials. This assessment is limited to the documents provided; Cisco's separate Purpose/ESG reports may contain additional disclosures not included in this analysis.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Cisco 8000 Series Routers / Silicon One

10-K states these routers 'allow customers to reduce operational footprints, lower carbon emissions, and transition to more efficient network architectures' through routed optical networking and pluggable optics.

Product-level efficiency claim; not independently quantified in filing.

Social story

No documented union-suppression activity, strikes, or labor disputes within the last 24 months were identified in the reviewed filings. Cisco discloses broad employee engagement and well-being programs and was ranked #3 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (2025). However, the filings provided do not disclose a specific CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio figure, workforce/leadership diversity percentages, or supply-chain human-rights audit findings, so these factors could not be scored against the rubric's numeric thresholds.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For

Ranked #3 in the U.S. for 2025; recognized as a top-three workplace in 14 countries by Great Place to Work.

Reputational; third-party recognition of workplace culture.
Employee Engagement Programs

Cisco Beat all-hands meetings, Cisco Check-Ins, Team Space Check-Ins (~2 million submitted in fiscal 2025), Engagement Pulse Survey, Real Deal Survey.

Internal culture/feedback mechanism.
Pay Equity Pledges

Founding signer of the White House Equal Pay Pledge and Parity.org pledge; participant in Employers for Pay Equity Consortium.

Stated commitment to pay equity evaluation across the company.

Governance story

Cisco maintains a single class of common stock with no dual-class voting structure, and independent directors have consistently comprised more than 75% of the Board (approximately 9 of 10 nominees, excluding CEO Robbins, are independent). No antitrust, consumer-safety, or SEC consent decree proceedings were disclosed in the reviewed filings; a settled supplier purchase-obligation dispute resulted in a cost-of-sales charge but is a commercial rather than regulatory/fraud matter. Specific annual lobbying expenditure figures were not included in the reviewed documents, though Cisco discloses political engagement policies on its public website per the proxy statement.

Criticisms on file

Settled legal dispute with a supplier over long-term purchase obligations, resulting in a charge to product cost of sales (August 2025).
Source: CSCO_10k.txt, Note 21 to Consolidated Financial Statements; MD&A Supply Chain Impacts and Risks section

Disclosed initiatives

Lead Independent Director Role

Board maintains a Lead Independent Director (Michael D. Capellas) with broad authority including calling executive sessions and serving as liaison to the CEO/Chair.

Provides independent board leadership check on combined Chair/CEO role.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program

Internal audit-managed ERM program with operating and executive committees overseeing cybersecurity, financial, and other risks, reporting to the Audit Committee and Board.

Structured risk oversight framework.
Compensation Recoupment (Clawback) Policy

Applies to executive officers.

Governance safeguard against improper compensation payouts.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Cisco Systems, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Cisco Systems, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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