Conserving Resources
NI conserves resources through its facilities and IT infrastructure by reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and waste, and by increasing recycling. We have a long-term goal to reduce carbon emissions per employee 10 percent from 2013 to 2023. To achieve this goal, we continually work to reduce electricity and natural gas usage.
2017 Data and Results
Electricity
Per employee numbers are calculated using the total number of full-time and part-time employees at tracked office locations as of December 31 each year.
Total Purchased Electricity (kWh)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 21,948,848 | 21,972,911 | 21,343,360 | 20,737,355 | 22,897,504 |
| Asia Pacific | 7,053,530 | 7,475,952 | 7,941,417 | 9,165,101 | 9,385,650 |
| Europe | 8,037,909 | 8,966,163 | 9,633,818 | 10,044,767 | 10,379,575 |
| Total | 37,040,287 | 38,415,026 | 38,918,595 | 39,947,223 | 42,662,729 |
In 2015, total purchased electricity data was not available for one Americas location for the entire year. NI estimated total usage for the year at that location using the data available from eight months out of the year.
Natural Gas
Per employee numbers are calculated using the total number of full-time and part-time employees at tracked office locations as of December 31 each year.
Total Natural Gas Used (m3)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 71,201 | 90,199 | 67,921 | 45,466 | 56,929 |
| Asia Pacific | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Europe | 380,176 | 390,743 | 612,849 | 582,341 | 579,141 |
| Total | 451,377 | 480,942 | 680,770 | 627,807 | 636,070 |
Reducing Emissions
To calculate these emissions, NI used the World Resources Institute (2012) GHG Protocol tool for stationary combustion, version 4.4; the World Resources Institute (2008) GHG Protocol tool for stationary combustion, version 4.0; and the World Resources Institute (2008) GHG Protocol tool for mobile combustion, version 2.2, with a fixed base year of 2005. Inputs include only purchased electricity usage, fuels used for stationary combustion, and the fuel used by company-owned and company-leased vehicles at tracked office locations.
Per employee numbers are calculated using the total number of full-time and part-time employees at tracked office locations as of December 31 each year.
Indirect Carbon Emissions (Tonnes)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 13,106 | 13,103 | 12,599 | 12,217 | 13,512 |
| Asia Pacific | 4,442 | 4,690 | 4,983 | 5,832 | 6,000 |
| Europe | 2,752 | 3,069 | 3,294 | 3,370 | 3,478 |
| Total | 20,300 | 20,862 | 20,876 | 21,419 | 22,990 |
Direct Carbon Emissions (Tonnes)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 169 | 237 | 152 | 116 | 142 |
| Asia Pacific | 38 | 23 | 35 | 70 | 44 |
| Europe | 807 | 821 | 1,181 | 1,199 | 1,196 |
| Total | 1,014 | 1,081 | 1,368 | 1,385 | 1,382 |
Starting in 2014, complete data was not available regarding the fuel used by company-owned and company-leased vehicles at some office locations in the Asia Pacific and Europe regions.
In 2015, complete data was not available regarding the fuel used for stationary combustion at some office locations in the Americas and Europe regions.
Water Usage
Per employee numbers are calculated using the total number of full-time and part-time employees at tracked office locations as of December 31 each year.
Total Water Used (m3)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 79,572 | 94,120 | 85,067 | 77,380 | 91,588 |
| Asia Pacific | 38,453 | 43,193 | 47,305 | 54,325 | 56,877 |
| Europe | 14,769 | 13,807 | 22,163 | 40,590 | 33,717 |
| Total | 132,794 | 151,120 | 154,535 | 172,295 | 182,182 |
In 2015, total water usage data was not available for one Americas location for the entire year. NI estimated total usage for the year at that location using the data available from eight months out of the year.
Protecting Habitats and History
Most of the NI headquarters campus in Austin is still in its natural, unirrigated state except for building footprints, walkways, drives, and parking areas. Multilevel garages provide most parking at NI, which minimizes the amount of ground covered by impervious materials like asphalt and cement. Developed landscape areas feature native plant materials requiring minimal water to thrive, and our campus incorporates critical environmental features including limestone sinkholes. Additionally, NI's Austin campus is a certified National Wildlife Federation wildlife habitat and is home to several native wildlife species, including deer, birds, and foxes.
To protect our beautiful grounds, we regularly monitor our campus to ensure storm water runoff from roads and parking lots does not enter sinkholes or threaten habitats. Additionally, parts of the Austin campus are recognized as a Texas Historical Commission Recorded Site for evidence of flint knapping activity, or tool-making activity, by Native Americans.
Recycling and Waste
Per employee numbers are calculated using the total number of full-time and part-time employees at tracked office locations as of December 31 each year.
Total Waste Generated (kg)
| Region | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | 295,789 | 299,014 | 236,817 | 255,325 | 256,688 |
| Asia Pacific | 262,263 | 361,196 | 207,983 | 192,942 | 266,972 |
| Europe | 316,331 | 355,560 | 560,737 | 465,948 | 472,516 |
| Total | 874,383 | 1,015,770 | 1,005,537 | 914,215 | 996,176 |
In 2015, total waste generated was not available for one Americas location. The total for that location for that year does not include hazardous waste, electronic waste, or plastic packaging waste.