As the world accelerates toward an AI-driven future, the IT landscape is evolving rapidly to meet the demands of energy efficiency, resilience, and environmental responsibility. On our recent LinkedIn Live session, we shared our belief that more sustainable IT is not just a goal but a shared responsibility that requires innovation, urgency, and collaboration.

The journey toward IT sustainability begins with awareness. Clients hold the key to shaping outcomes by making informed, future-proof decisions early in the design process. Whether modernizing a campus network or transforming and building new data centers, understanding the impact of infrastructure choices empowers organizations to lead the way in sustainability.

Efficiency and Impact Go Hand-in-Hand

As data center demands for power and water increase to meet the needs of AI, sustainability is not only about reducingenvironmental impact; it also aligns with cost and performance objectives. Efficient architectures and energy-aware strategies serve all these outcomes simultaneously.  For example, NTT DATA's recent consolidation of office sites, supported by Cisco's portfolio, led to an over 30 percent reduction in hosting costs and an estimated annual energy savings of 1 million kWh, demonstrating how sustainability and business benefits can coexist.

The rapid growth of AI and electrification is driving unprecedented demands on IT infrastructure.  JLL research as of 2025 shows that "Over the past two years, GPUs have become substantially more powerful, leading to higher rack densities ranging from 40 kW to 130 kW per rack, with future chips projected to reach an astounding 250 kW per rack." This surge intensifies energy costs and sustainability challenges. Together, Cisco and NTT DATA are investing in cutting-edge technologies and power and cooling innovations to help clients lead in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Clients must actively drive change by leveraging technology and education. Understanding how to optimize systems through insights and emerging technologies is critical. Cisco and NTT DATA provide comprehensive assessments and solutions to help organizations evaluate their sustainability maturity, optimize energy consumption, and implement efficient architectures.

Innovating Together: Moving Faster, Together

Our partnership accelerates innovation for a more sustainable future. By leveraging technology ecosystems and co-innovating, we enable clients to adopt AI-ready infrastructures that balance performance with environmental responsibility.

Where to Start: Actionable Steps for IT Leaders

• Understand your role in the sustainability journey and the impact of your decisions.
• Start early in the IT system design process to embed sustainability principles.
• Leverage available resources and partner expertise to optimize energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.

Together, Cisco and NTT DATA are committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of IT sustainability, turning challenges into opportunities for innovation and impact.

To learn more, watch the on-demand LinkedIn Live session,  "New innovations in power & cooling systems for the campus & data center."

Download these resources:

• Cisco Fault Managed Power White Paper
• Intelligent Buildings
• Accelerating Sustainability with Cisco solutions
• Planet Prosperity People -Sustainability in action at NTT DATA 

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