Conserving Resources

Reducing Natural Gas Usage, Water Usage, and Emissions

In 2010, National Instruments saw a rise in natural gas and water usage at headquarters due to increased headcount. Natural gas usage increased at NI Hungary because of an unusually cold winter, but water usage decreased despite the extension of the campus's irrigation system. This was due to a very rainy summer, which decreased the need for irrigation.

Natural Gas Usage

Natural Gas Usage (m³)

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	48,835	56,169	48,467	52,568
Per employee	22	25	21	20
Hungary	328,403	395,697	313,054	364,517
Per employee	403	382	337	368

Reducing Emissions
NI is a member of the Clean Air Partners Program (CAPP) of Central Texas, a coalition of industry and civic organizations that encourages businesses to reduce air emissions by 10 percent over three years. The program promotes clean air business practices, such as employee carpooling, renewable energy, and water conservation techniques. As a member of this program since 2004, NI reports annually to the organization on emissions and reductions achieved. By the end of 2009, per-employee emissions at NI corporate headquarters decreased 2.4 percent compared to 2006. The 2010 data is not yet available from the program.

Carbon emissions at NI corporate headquarters and NI Hungary were up slightly in 2010 due to increases in electricity and natural gas usage that were a result of increased headcount. The following tables for both locations present data for only Scope 1 and limited Scope 2 emissions, which include those from natural gas, purchased electricity, and operation of company-owned vehicles. NI planned to hire an external vendor to verify the calculations in 2010, but decided to instead pursue an assessment, which would provide more information about its greenhouse gas emissions. NI will pursue verification in the future.

NI Indirect Carbon Emissions (Tonnes)*

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	12,296	13,007	12,884	13,269
Hungary	2,339	2,575	2,237	2,577

*To calculate these emissions, NI used the World Resources Institute (2009) GHG Protocol Tool for Stationary Combustion, version 4.0.

NI Direct Carbon Emissions (Tonnes)*

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	108	133	121	123
Hungary	620	747	591	688

*To calculate these emissions, NI used the World Resources Institute (2009) GHG Protocol Tool for Stationary Combustion, version 4.0.

Conserving Water and Nature
Water use at NI headquarters was up in 2010 because of increased headcount. Water use decreased at NI Hungary, however, because of an unusually rainy summer as well as the repair of a broken water line.

To evaluate water use at its headquarters, in 2010 NI installed water flow meters on the HVAC cooling towers. This improved monitoring capability will show differences between general water use and cooling water use so NI can better set future water use goals. In 2011, NI will conduct an audit of its HVAC control systems at headquarters to look for areas where it can save water.

Water at both corporate headquarters and NI Hungary comes from municipal water supplies.

Water Usage

Water Usage (m³)

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	45,043	50,037	46,362	50,306
Per employee	21	22	20	19
Hungary	13,728	12,646	15,379	11,155
Per employee	17	12	17	11

Protecting Habitats
Most of the NI corporate headquarters campus is still in its natural, unirrigated state except for building footprints, walks, drives, and parking. Multilevel garages provide most parking, which minimizes the amount of ground covered by impervious material. Developed landscape areas feature native plant materials that require minimal water to thrive, and the campus includes a number of critical environmental features, including limestone sinkholes. The campus is a wildlife habitat, as certified by the National Wildlife Federation.

NI protects and monitors these features to ensure that storm water runoff from roads and parking lots does not enter them. In addition, the campus is a Texas Historical Commission Recorded Site for evidence of flint knapping activity, or activity for making tools, by Native Americans.

In 2010, the NI corporate headquarters campus was one of four Austin sites selected as a pilot project for the Sustainable Sites Initiative, a national project testing a rating system for green landscape design, construction, and maintenance.