Today's always-on, connected lifestyles and business practices have reached new levels according to the Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2012 to 2017.  In fact, in the next five years, worldwide mobile data traffic is predicted to increase 13-fold, with global mobile data traffic growing 70 percent in 2012.

hWith customers on all seven continents, Cisco provides essential Internet networking platforms that enable these connected experiences, and we embrace our profound responsibility to deliver innovative networking solutions that also minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.

 So it is with great pride for Cisco to receive AT&T's 2012 Supplier Sustainability Award in Energy Efficiency, which recognizes outstanding contributions in energy efficiency, environment, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use. These are topics of critical importance to both our business operations and the environment.

hSmartphones and other connected technologies have increased data traffic on AT&T's networks by 20,000 percent between 2007 and 2011. Cisco's Cisco Carrier Routing System is helping AT&T meet growing data demands while also staying on track to meet its goal of reducing electricity intensity 60 percent by 2014, over a 2008 baseline. 

Cisco has received top rankings for its environmental sustainability efforts including being included in the Carbon Disclosure Project Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index for five consecutive years (2008-2012) and being ranked second in Greenpeace's Cool IT Challenge in 2012.  Cisco has also been recognized by Corporate Knights, Forbes Magazine, and Interbrand for its commitment to sustainability. 

Cisco recently announced that it had achieved its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction goal in 2012 and set a new target of cutting GHG emissions worldwide by 40% absolute by FY2017.

Congratulations to the Cisco service provider engineering team and the entire Cisco engineering organization for this achievement and its continued efforts maintaining this critical balance for our customers and partners.

Additional details regarding Cisco's commitment to energy efficiency can be found on our Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility Web page and in our 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.